Arsenal History

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History of Arsenal can be posted here!

* Let other members know the history of one of the greatest teams in the EPL.

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*Just some history

FROM FOUNDATION TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR
Arsenal Football Club began life when a group of workers at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory decided to form a football team in late 1886. The Club played under the name of Dial Square. Their first match was a 6-0 victory over Eastern Wanderers, on December 11, 1886. Soon after, the name Royal Arsenal was adopted and the Club continued playing in friendlies and local cup competitions for the next few years.

In 1891 the Club turned professional and changed its name to Woolwich Arsenal, finally joining the Football League in 1893. The Gunners moved to their current home at Highbury in 1913, as a Second Division side. Following the First World War Arsenal were voted into the newly expanded First Division, where they have remained ever since.

CHAPMAN AND THE GLORIOUS THIRTIES
Herbert Chapman took over at Arsenal in 1925, and in 1930 he guided the Gunners to their first ever trophy — beating Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup Final. The following season Arsenal were champions for the first time. Between 1933 and 1935 the Club won a hattrick of league titles (which has only been achieved by four teams in the top flight). Sadly Chapman died in the middle of the run, by which time he had reached legend status.

George Allison took over and the dominance continued for the rest of the decade, winning one more FA Cup (1936) and another title (1938). During this time Arsenal had some of the game’s greatest players on its books: Alex James, Ted Drake, Cliff Bastin, David Jack, Eddie Hapgood and George Male were just some of the names in what was one of the greatest sides ever to play in the Football League.

POST-WAR TO THE FIRST DOUBLE
The Second World War stopped Arsenal in their tracks but Tom Whittaker became manager and more success followed. Arsenal were Champions in 1947/48 and 1952/53; FA Cup winners in 1950 and runners-up in 1952. The ‘60s provided little in the way of silverware at Highbury, with two losing appearances in the League Cup Final in 1968 and 1969 being the closest thing to success. Bertie Mee had taken over in the mid-Sixties and Arsenal lifted their first ever European trophy in 1969/70, beating Anderlecht 4-3 over the two legged Fairs Cup Final.

Better was to follow the following season. An Arsenal side containing the likes of Charlie George, George Armstrong, Ray Kennedy and captain Frank McLintock, won the league and FA Cup ‘double’. They clinched the title at White Hart Lane, then beat Liverpool after extra time at Wembley to win the Cup. The side returned to Wembley for three consecutive FA Cup Finals under Terry Neill at the end of the decade — winning the second of them, 3-2 against Manchester United. The game became known as the ‘Five Minute Final’. The Gunners also reached the 1980 Cup Winners’ Cup Final, with a team that included Graham Rix, Frank Stapleton, Pat Rice, David O’Leary and Liam Brady, but lost on penalties to Valencia.

GEORGE GRAHAM’S HONOURS
In 1986 George Graham, a member of the 1971 ‘double’ winning team, took over as manager from Don Howe and more glory days followed. He led Arsenal to their first ever League Cup triumph in 1986/87, beating Liverpool 2-1 in the Final. Two years later the Gunners won the League Championship, with a famous last minute goal from Michael Thomas clinching the title with a 2-0 win at Anfield. Another title followed in 1990/91, when the side, including the famous defensive back four, lost just one league game.

More silverware followed. In 1992/93 Arsenal became the first club to win both domestic cups in the same season. Sheffield Wednesday were the beaten side on both occasions. Graham’s era of success was rounded off the following season. A superb run in the European Cup Winners’ Cup ended with a memorable 1-0 win over Parma in the Final in Copenhagen, thanks to Alan Smith’s strike. Arsenal failed to retain the trophy the following season, losing in the 1995 final to Real Zaragoza. By this time George Graham had left the Club. He was succeeded by Bruce Rioch, who was in charge for one season, during which time he signed Dennis Bergkamp.

THE ARSÈNE WENGER ERA
Early in the 1996/97 season Arsène Wenger arrived at Highbury, becoming the Club’s first ever manager from outside the British Isles. In 1997/98, Wenger’s first full season at Highbury, Arsenal achieved the League and FA Cup ‘double’, for the second time in the Club’s history. Dennis Bergkamp was named Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Player of the Year, and PFA Player of the Year. A tremendous season was rounded off perfectly for French Internationals Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira as the Gunners stars played their part in France’s victorious World Cup campaign. The Club also said goodbye to striking legend Ian Wright, who left Arsenal as record goalscorer with 185 goals in all competitions.

In each of the next three seasons Arsenal were runnersup in the Premier League, and had plenty of involvement in cup competitions. In 2000 Arsenal lost in the UEFA Cup Final on penalties to Galatasaray, and the following year lost the first ever FA Cup Final played at the Millennium Stadium, 2-1 to Liverpool. In 2001 the Gunners also reached the Quarter- Final stages of the UEFA Champions League for the first time, but lost out on away goals to Valencia. 2001/02 was to prove another momentous, recordbreaking season for the Club. Arsenal completed the first leg of their third ‘double’ by beating Chelsea 2-0 in the FA Cup Final, and ended the season with a 13-game winning streak. The 12th Championship was made secure with a game to spare courtesy of a memorable 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Arsenal were unbeaten away from home for the entire league campaign.

The following season Arsenal narrowly missed out on retaining the title but the Gunners became the first English club in more than 20 years to retain the FA Cup with their 1-0 victory over Southampton at Cardiff. Thierry Henry was voted player of the season by the PFA and the Football Writers’ Association. Season 2003/2004 saw Arsenal win back the title in unbeatable fashion - managing to go though the entire league season without a single defeat. Finishing 11 points ahead of second-place Chelsea, Arsenal smashed several records on the way to their 13th league title win.

Spanish youngster Cesc Fabregas arrived in January and by the end of the season he had broken the records for the youngest Arsenal player and goalscorer. The Club, playing some mesmerising attacking football, were also close to an unprecedented fourth ‘double’ but lost in the FA Cup semi-final. The Champions League campaign came to an end at the quarter-final stage The unbeaten run continued into the following season, and in August 2004 Arsenal overtook Nottingham Forest’s record for the longest all-time unbeaten sequence in English league football. The tally eventually reached 49 games.

The Gunners made it five trophies in four seasons by winning the FA Cup following a penalty shoot-out success over Manchester United. Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira converted the decisive spot-kick, and it proved to be his final kick for the Club, as he left after nine years’ service to join Juventus shortly afterwards. The 2005/06 campaign will be Arsenal’s final season at Highbury, the Club’s home since 1913.

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*Records at the club



Most overall
722 David O'Leary (Debut Burnley (a) 16 Aug 1975)

Most league
558 David O'Leary (Debut Burnley (a) 16 Aug 1975)

Most Premiership
333 Ray Parlour (325 David Seaman)

Most European
78 Thierry Henry (69 David Seaman, 68 Patrick Vieira)

Most Champions League
70 Thierry Henry (63 Robert Pires, 60 Freddie Ljungberg, 57 Patrick Vieira, 53 Lauren)

Most consecutive
172 Tom Parker (3 April 1926 - 26 December 1929)

YOUNGEST

Overall
Francesc Fabregas (16 years 177 days, Lge Cup Rotherham Utd (h) 28 Oct 2003)

Previously
Jermaine Pennant (16 years 319 days, Lge Cup Middlesbrough (a) 30 Nov 1999)

In League
Gerry Ward (16 years 321 days, Huddersfield T (h) 22 Aug 1953)

In Premiership
Cesc Fabregas (17 years 103 days, Everton (a) 15 Aug 2004)

In Europe
Cesc Fabregas (17 years 169 days v Panathinaikos (a) Champions League 20 Oct 2004 drew 2-2)

In FA Cup
Stewart Robson (17 years 57 days v Tottenham (a) FAC3 2 Jan 1982 lost 0-1)

OLDEST

Overall
Jock Rutherford (41 years 159 days, v Man City (h) 20 March 1926)

In League
Jock Rutherford (41 years 159 days, v Man City (h) 20 March 1926)

In Premiership
John Lukic (39 years 336 days, v Derby County (h) 11 Nov 2000)

In Europe
John Lukic (39 years 311 days, v Lazio (a) UCL Grp Stage 17 Oct 2000)
Highest Arsenal appearance holders Player Appearances
1. David O'Leary 722
2. Tony Adams 669
3. George Armstrong 621
4. Lee Dixon 619
5. Nigel Winterburn 584
6. David Seaman 564
7. Pat Rice 528
8. Peter Storey 501
9. John Radford 481
10. Peter Simpson 477

ATTENDANCES (HOME ONLY)

Highest
Premiership 60,023 v Aston Villa 19 August 2006
League 73,295 v Sunderland 9 March 1935
Overall 73,295 v Sunderland 9 March 1935
Wembley Stadium 73,707 v RC Lens 25 November 1998

Lowest
Premiership 18,253 v Wimbledon 10 February 1993
League 4,554 v Leeds United 5 May 1966
Overall 4,554 v Leeds United 5 May 1966
Wembley Stadium 71,227 v AIK Solna 22 September 1999

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*Some facts on Arsenal

Arsenal Facts

* Arsène Wenger has won seven major honours at Arsenal (three league championships, four FA Cups) - more than any other Gunners boss.
* Arsenal has the longest unbroken run in the English top division, having been there since 1919. They were last relegated in season 1912/13 when they finished in 20th position.
* Thierry Henry has twice been named Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in the same season, and is the only player ever to retain the awards.
* For two of the last three years Thierry Henry has finished second in the FIFA World Player of the Year award - behind compatriot Zinedine Zidane in 2003 and Ronaldinho in 2004. He finished third behind Ronaldinho and Frank Lampard in 2005.
* Arsenal share the record (with Man Utd) for most appearances in the FA Cup Final with 17, of which they have won ten.
* The 2001 FA Youth Cup victory was Arsenal’s sixth in all, only Manchester United have won more.
* Arsenal have twice clinched the league title at White Hart Lane (1971 and 2004). In addition the Gunners have won the league at Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge (twice).
* In the 2001/2002 season 22 Arsenal players earned a Championship medal, including three different goalkeepers.
* Freddie Ljungberg scored in both the 2001 and 2002 FA Cup Finals, the first player to score in consecutive finals for 40 years.
* Gael Clichy is the youngest player ever to win a Premiership medal, at 18 years and ten months.
* Thierry Henry was named in the PFA Premiership All-Star team last season.
* Francesc Fabregas is Arsenal’s youngest ever player, making his debut at 16 years and 177 days against Rotherham in the Carling Cup Third Round on October 28, 2003. The Spaniard is also the Club’s youngest scorer, netting against Wolves in the Carling Cup Fourth Round aged 16 years and 212 days.
* Arsène Wenger was the first foreign manager to lead a team to the English League Championship.
* Arsenal are the only team to score in every game in a Premiership season, achieving the feat in the 2001/02 championship campaign.
* Arsenal’s league record during the 2003/04 season was played 38, won 26, drawn 12, lost 0 - the only time in the modern era a side has remained unbeaten for the duration of a league season.
* Gilberto scored the fastest ever Champions League goal after just 20.07 seconds against PSV Eindhoven on September 25, 2002.
* Tony Adams lifted more trophies than any other Arsenal Captain - nine (four Championships, three FA Cups, one League Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup).
* Arsenal have appeared in a record 25 FA Cup Semi-Finals, one more than Manchester United.
* Thierry Henry and Gilberto have World Cup winner’s medals.
* Ashley Cole’s superb performances earned him selection to Euro 2004’s All Star Team of the Tournament.
* Midfielder Gilberto played in every minute of Brazil’s successful World Cup tournament in 2002.
* During 2003/04 Arsenal were unbeaten away from home in league fixtures, the second time in the space of three years that they managed this feat.
* Dennis Bergkamp has won the Cup Winners’ Cup with Ajax and the UEFA Cup twice, once with Ajax and once with Inter Milan.
* Lauren is an Olympic gold medallist, he helped Cameroon to the title at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
* Arsenal’s first ever game at Highbury was a 2-1 victory over Leicester Fosse in a Division Two fixture in September 1913.
* Current head of youth development, Liam Brady, was voted Arsenal’s ‘Player of the Season’ three times before his move to Juventus.
* Former head youth coach and Under-19s coach, Don Howe, played for (1964-67), coached and managed (1983-86) Arsenal during his association with the Club.
* Assistant manager Pat Rice has been involved in all of Arsenal’s ‘double’ successes, playing in 1971 and assisting Arsène Wenger in 1998 and 2002.
* Arsène Wenger was awarded France’s highest civil medal, the Legion of Honour, in the summer of 2002. Thierry Henry also picked up the honour after the 1998 World Cup. Mr Wenger was also awarded the O.B.E for his services to British football in 2003 and was given the Freedom of Islington in 2004.
* Arsenal’s home UEFA Champions League fixtures in seasons 1998/99 and 1999/00 were held at Wembley. The Club’s fixture against RC Lens at Wembley on November 25, 1998 was attended by 73,707 - a record crowd for an Arsenal ‘home’ game.
* Former captain Tony Adams made 669 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, scoring 48 goals. He was at the Club for 22 years. Only David O’Leary, with 722 appearances, played more times for Arsenal.
* Lauren has twice won the African Nations Cup with Cameroon, in 2000 and 2002.
* Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-1 to win the FA Community Shield in August 2004. Arsenal have won the trophy outright a record equalling 11 times, and have also shared it once.
* The Arsenal Ladies won the league title last season, for the eighth time in their history.
* The Arsenal Ladies will once again be representing England in European competition this year.
* In August 2002 Arsenal registered their 14th straight league win, breaking the all-time record in top flight football. The Club record for consecutive home victories in the Premiership (10) was set against Manchester City on September 10, 2002.
* Dennis Bergkamp’s goal against Newcastle at St James’ Park in the 2002/2003 season was named ITV’s ‘The Premiership’ Goal of the Season and the second best Premiership goal ever.
* In January 2003 Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry both scored their 100th goals for the Club - taking the number of players who have reached three figures for Arsenal to 16.
* When Arsenal beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0 on August 25, 2004, they set a new English record for consecutive unbeaten league matches, breaking Nottingham Forest’s sequence of 42 from 1978. The run was eventually stretched to 49 matches.
* Thierry Henry won the European Golden Shoe in 2004 and 2005 as top scorer in European league football. He became the first player to win the award back-to-back.
* Arsenal’s biggest ever league victory was a 12-0 win over Loughborough Town on March 12, 1900. Coincidentally, the Club’s biggest league defeat was also against Loughborough Town — 8-0 in 1896.
* Arsenal’s record for most league goals in a season is 127, set in the championship winning season of 1930/31. The least league goals Arsenal have conceded in a season is 18, in the 1990/91 season — another championship year.
* On December 14, 1935 Ted Drake scored all seven goals in Arsenal’s 7-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park — it remains a record. Ted Drake also holds the record for most goals in a season for Arsenal with 42.
* The highest ever attendance at Highbury is 73,295, set against Sunderland on March 9, 1935.
* The oldest player ever to represent Arsenal is Jock Rutherford, who was 41 years and 236 days old when he appeared against Manchester City.
* Arsenal’s first ever recognised fixture was a friendly against Eastern Wanderers on December 11, 1886. Arsenal were then known as Dial Square FC.
* Arsenal’s most capped player is Patrick Vieira, who made 79 appearances for France while an Arsenal player.
* The Club’s highest tally of league points for a season is 90, set in 2003/2004.
* Arsenal have made nine appearances at the Millennium Stadium.
* Arsenal beat Manchester United 5-4 on penalties in the 2005 FA Cup Final, the first time the Cup has been decided that way in it's 133-year history.
* Arsène Wenger is the only Arsenal manager to have won the FA Cup four times, and is the second most successful manager in the history of the competition.
* Cesc Fabregas scored against Blackburn at Highbury during the 2004/05 campaign, making him the Club’s youngest ever scorer in league football at 17 years and 113 days.
* Between May 19, 2001 and November 30, 2002 Arsenal scored in 55 consecutive league matches — an English record.
* Arsenal competed in, and won, the first ever ‘indoor’ FA Cup Final. Due to heavy rain, the roof on the Millennium Stadium was closed for the entire 2003 Final against Southampton.
* Arsenal remained unbeaten for 18 consecutive FA Cup matches between 2001 and 2004 - a post-war record.
* Pat Rice, either as a player or Assistant Manager, has been to ten FA Cup Finals with Arsenal.
* In 1950 Arsenal became the first Club to win the FA Cup without leaving London during the entire run.

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* Managers

Sam Hollis
1894 - 1897
Sam Hollis was appointed ‘secretary-manager’ of Arsenal in 1894. He was the first individual to be placed in charge of team affairs. Prior to his appointment, the team had been managed by a committee of players and club members. Hollis spent three years at the club during which time the Club remained mid-table in the Second Division. He moved on to Bristol City in the summer of 1897.

Thomas Brown Mitchell
1897 - 1898
Thomas Brown Mitchell was Arsenal’s first professional manager, joining the club in 1897. A Scotsman from the Dumfries area, Mitchell moved south of the border around 1867 and held the title of secretary at Blackburn Rovers for approximately 12 years. He spent less than a season at Arsenal but in that time, managed to guide the club through three FA Cup qualifying rounds before succumbing to Burnley in the first round proper. He also took the club from tenth to fifth place in the League before resigning in March 1898. Mitchell later rejoined Blackburn, where he passed away in August 1921, aged 78.

George Elcoat
1898 - 1899
George Elcoat, like his predecessor Thomas Brown Mitchell, only remained at Arsenal for one season. Elcoat, who hailed from Stockton-on-Tees, showed a strong preference for players north of the border as illustrated by him having eight Scotsman in his first-team at one stage. Arsenal finished seventh under his leadership but as the League has been increased to 18 teams, it was on par with the previous season. Arsenal were heavily beaten by Derby in the first round proper of the FA Cup having been given a bye to that stage.
Harry Bradshaw

Harry Bradshaw
1899 - 1904
Harry Bradshaw took over the reigns from George Elcoat and in the space of five years, had transformed the fortunes of the club. Regarded as Arsenal’s first successful manager, Bradshaw built his reputation at Burnley from 1891 to 1899 and was a clever tactician, guiding Arsenal to a top-three finish in the League in 1902/03. Bradshaw moved on to Fulham and later became secretary of the Southern League before his death in 1924.
Phil Kelso

Phil Kelso
1904 - 1908
Phil Kelso was a hard, rugged Scot who was a coach at Hibernian, before taking over as manager of newly-promoted Woolwich Arsenal from 1904 until 1908. Kelso guided the club to two consecutive last-four finishes in the FA Cup but did not make much progress in the League. After leaving Arsenal, he returned briefly to Scotland to run a hotel in Largs, before becoming manager of Fulham in 1909. He stayed with the West-London outfit for 15 years before his death in 1935, aged 64.
George Morrell

George Morrell
1908 - 1915
George Morrell was manager of Woolwich Arsenal from 1908 to 1915, and oversaw the club’s move from Plumstead in south east London, to it’s current home at Highbury in North London. Morrell was forced to sell many of his best players but still guided the team to sixth in the League in his first season. Unfortunately, he holds the distinction of being the only Arsenal manager to have experienced relegation; Woolwich Arsenal dropped from the First Division to the Second after finishing bottom in 1913. But Morrell's Arsenal finished 5th in the Second Division in 1915 - high enough to get them elected back into the First Division.
Leslie Knighton

Leslie Knighton
1919 - 1925
Leslie Knighton was appointed manager of Arsenal in 1919, following stints as an assistant manager at Leeds United and Manchester City. He was manager for six years, but Arsenal never finished higher than 10th, coming 20th in 1924-25. Knighton was sacked at the end of that season, and was replaced by the now legendary, Herbert Chapman. After leaving the Gunners, Knighton went on to manage Bournemouth, Birmingham City and Chelsea.
Herbert Chapman

Herbert Chapman
1925 - 1934
Sheffield-born Herbert Chapman not only established Arsenal as English football’s dominant force, but his football concepts and ideas served as a template for teams and managers the globe over. He managed Leeds United and Huddersfield Town before taking over at Highbury where he introduced the 3-3-4 or ‘WM’ formation, winning the FA Cup in 1930 and the First Division title, scoring a club record 127 goals, in 1930/31. He won a second League title two years later before his tragic, sudden death in 1934, aged 55. A bronze bust of Chapman stands inside Highbury as a tribute to his achievements at the club.
George Allison

George Allison
1934 - 1947
George Allison was born in Darlington and was a journalist before moving to London in 1905. He became Woolwich Arsenal’s programme editor, and later commentated on the very first FA Cup final to be broadcast on the radio, between Arsenal and Cardiff City in 1927. He later became the club's secretary and then managing director, before taking over as first-team manager in June 1934. Allison added to his predecessor, Herbert Chapman’s two successive League titles, by winning a third in 1935. He also won the FA Cup in 1936 and the League again in 1938. Allison decided to step down and retire from the game in 1946-47.
Tom Whittaker

Tom Whittaker
1947 - 1956
Thomas James Whittaker was born in Aldershot, Hampshire and joined Arsenal in 1919 before becoming the club’s first-team trainer under Herbert Chapman in 1927. Whittaker had an important role under Chapman in reforming the training and physiotherapy regimes at the club before taking over the reigns from Chapman’s successor, Tom Whittaker, in 1947. He won the League in 1948 and 1953 and the FA Cup in 1950 before his tragic death from a heart attack in 1956, aged 58.
Jack Crayston

Jack Crayston
1956 - 1958
Jack Crayston was born in Lancashire in 1910 and was appointed manager of Arsenal in November 1956. A former player with over 200 appearances for the club, Crayston elevated Arsenal from eleventh to third place in the Leauge, before eventually finishing fifth in his first season. He resigned after 24 years’ service at the club in May 1958 and went on to manage Doncaster Rovers. Crayston passed away in 1992.
George Swindin

George Swindin
1958 - 1962
George Swindon, a former Arsenal goalkeeper with 272 first-team appearances to his name, was invited to take over the manager’s reigns at Highbury in 1958, following a successful stint as manager at Peterborough United. He oversaw a drastic overhaul in the playing staff at the club during his first season in charge and guided the team to a third-placed finish. After leaving the Gunners, Swindin went on to manage Norwich City, Cardiff City, Kettering and Corby before retiring to Spain. Sadly, Swindin paased away in October 2005, aged 90.
Billy Wright

Billy Wright
1962 - 1966
Billy Wright was born William Ambrose Wright in Shropshire in 1924 and was the first player to win more than 100 caps for England, captaining the national side no less than 90 times including their campaigns at the 1950, 1954 and 1958 World Cup finals. He became manager of Arsenal in 1962 but Arsenal never finished higher than seventh under Wright and he left the club after the 1965-66 season, where Arsenal finished 14th and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers. Wright left management and later became a television pundit for ATV. He was made an Inaugural Inductee of the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 in recognition of influence on the English game.
Bertie Mee

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*Managers contd'

Bertie Mee
1966 - 1976
Bertie Mee was born in Bullwell Notinghamshire and managed Arsenal to their first League and FA Cup 'Double' win in 1971. He became manager in 1966, and recruited Dave Sexton and Don Howe as his assistants. Under his tutorship, Arsenal reached two successive League Cup finals in 1968 and 1969, but lost to Leeds United and Swindon Town respectively. However, the following season, the club won it's first trophy of any kind for 17 years, beating Anderlecht 4-3 on aggregate, in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Having lost the away leg 3-1, Arsenal beat the Belgian side 3-0 at Highbury. The first part of the Double - The League title - was won at White Hart Lane, home of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, on the last day of the season. Five days later, Charlie George scored the winning goal as Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley after extra-time to claim the FA Cup. Mee resigned as Arsenal manager in 1976, later joining Watford as assistant to Graham Taylor in 1978. Sadly, he passed away in 2001, at the age of 82.
Terry Neill

Terry Neill
1976 - 1983
William John Terence "Terry" Neill was born in May 1942 in Belfast and moved to Arsenal in 1959 as a player. He retired from playing in 1973, and succeeded Bill Nicholson as manager of Arsenal's local rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. He managed Spurs for two seasons, nearly getting the club relegated in the process, before being recruited by the Arsenal board as manager in 1976 - becoming the youngest manager in the club's history. The club enjoyed a minor revival under his management, reaching three FA Cup finals between 1978 and 1980, though only winning in 1979. He also reached the final of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1980, losing on penalties to Valencia. He was dismissed as manager in December 1983 and retired from football.
Don Howe

Don Howe
1984 - 1986
Donald 'Don' Howe was born in October 12, 1935 and was a player with West Bromwich Albion before Billy Wright signed him for Arsenal in 1964 and made him club captain. Howe retired from playing and became Arsenal's reserve team coach under Bertie Mee, before stepping up to the role of first team coach after the departure of Dave Sexton in 1968. He later returned to his old club, West Bromwich Albion, as manager before stints as coach of Galatasaray, Turkey and Leeds United, before rejoining Arsenal in 1977 as head coach. Howe succeeded Terry Neill as Arsenal manager in 1983 and brought through the likes of Tony Adams, David Rocastle and Niall Quinn before resigning in March 1986.Howe was later assistant to Bobby Gould at Wimbledon and then had spells managing Queen Park Rangers and Coventry City before moving into journalism and broadcasting.
George Graham

George Graham
1986 - 1995
A former Arsenal player, George Graham rejoined the Club as manager in 1986 after three years in charge of Millwall. He won two League Championships, two League Cups, an FA Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup in eight years, making Arsenal one of the dominant teams of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was renowned for building his team on the meanest of rearguards, perfecting the offside trap along the way. He also bought Ian Wright, until recently Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer, from Crystal Palace. After leaving the Club in 1995, Graham went on to manage Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur. He is currently a football pundit.
Stewart Houston

Stewart Houston
1995 and 1996
Stewart Houston was a player for Chelsea, Brentford F.C., Manchester United, Sheffield United, Colchester United and Scotland before joining Arsenal as assistant manager to George Graham in 1986. He was twice the club's caretaker-manager - first for three months after George Graham's resignation in February 1995, taking the team to the final of the Cup Winners' Cup. Houston remained on as assistant to Bruce Rioch, the club's next manager, and was reappointed as caretaker following Rioch's departure a year later. He resigned in mid-September to take over as manager of Queens Park Rangers, with Rioch becoming his assistant. Houston later had spells as coach with Graham at Tottenham Hotspur, and then at Walsall.
Bruce Rioch

Bruce Rioch
1995 - 1996
Bruce Rioch left his post as manager of Bolton Wanderers to succeed George Graham as Arsenal manager in 1995 and stayed for just a year. He guided Arsenal to a UEFA Cup place in 1995-96, securing qualification on the last day of the season at the expense of Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur. He also reached the League Cup semi-finals but lost on away goals to Aston Villa. After leaving the Club he became assistant to Stewart Houston at Queens Park Rangers. He later managed Norwich City and Wigan Athletic and is currently in charge of Danish club Odense.


Arsène Wenger
1996 - Present
Arsène Wenger joined Arsenal in September 1996 following spells as manager with Nancy and Monaco in his native France and Grampus Eight in Japan. He guided the Club to their second League and FA Cup double, in his first full season at Highbury in 1998 and won further League titles in 2002 and 2004. He has won four FA Cups to date, including last season’s and his Arsenal team have never finished outside the top two in the League under his tenure. He also guided Arsenal to the UEFA Cup final in 2000, losing to Galatasaray on penalties and through an entire unbeaten league campaign on the way to the title in 2004. He is still in charge of the Gunners and will oversee their move to a new stadium near Highbury at the end of the present campaign.

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*Crests

In 1888, just two years after the formation of the Club, Arsenal, who were then called Royal Arsenal, adopted its first crest (1). This was based largely on the coat of arms of the Borough of Woolwich. The Club was based in the Borough from its formation until 1913, playing at Plumstead Common; Sportsman Ground; Manor Ground; Invicta Ground and the Manor Ground again before heading across London to Highbury, Islington.

The original badge comprised three columns, which, although they look like chimneys, are in actual fact cannons. The significance of the cannons to the Borough of Woolwich derives from the long military history surrounding the area. The Royal Arsenal, Royal Artillery Regiment and various military hospitals - which still dot the landscape today - were all prominent in the Borough.

The cannons on the original crest were obviously a reference to the military influence in Woolwich and despite the Club's ties with the area being cut 89 years ago, the cannon theme has developed throughout the years and has remained prominent on the Gunners different crests down the years, including the new design.

In the early days the crest was not as significant a part of a football club's identity as it is today. Shirts remained plain, unless commemorating a significant match, an FA Cup Final for example, and the crest was generally reserved for official headed stationary, matchday programmes and handbooks.

The Arsenal Crest - a History

Following Arsenal's move north to Highbury in 1913, it wasn't immediately apparent that the Club would embrace the Woolwich Arsenal legacy and keep the cannon as a recognisable motif. The Club soon became just 'Arsenal', the Great War affected football for four seasons and recommencing in 1919/20 ‘normal’ football took some time to settle. During all of this period there was no sign of a crest as such but, in the first matchday programme of the 1922/23 season, when the Gunners played Burnley, a new club crest (2) was revealed - a fearsome looking cannon, that would have sat proudly in the Royal Arsenal of Woolwich.

As can be seen the vertical cannons have gone with the new design featuring a single eastward pointing cannon. Whoever designed this robust looking weapon saw his handiwork used by the Club for just three seasons however, and for the start of the 1925/26 season, the Gunners changed to a westward pointing, narrower cannon (3) with the legend 'The Gunners' remaining next to it.

The derivation of the narrower cannon has never been officially confirmed, but the cannons on the crest of the Royal Arsenal Gatehouse in Woolwich (4) are uncannily similar to that used as the Gunners’ symbol.

This cannon crest remained prominent in the Arsenal matchday programme and other publications for 17 seasons. It changed slightly through the years with the wording eventually disappearing, but, despite being usurped by the Victoria Concordia Crescit crest in 1949 it has remained a basic symbol of the Club ever since, featuring on official merchandise and stationary throughout the years right up until the present day.

The VCC crest (5), which the new crest replaces, has been Arsenal's symbol since appearing in the first new style magazine matchday programme of season 1949/50. It would appear to have been in the minds of the Gunners hierarchy for at least a year prior to this. In the final matchday programme of the 1947/48 League Championship winning season, 'Marksman' (aka Harry Homer), the programme editor of the day, wrote:

"...my mind seeks an apt quotation with which to close this season which has been such a glorious one for Tom Whittaker, Joe Mercer and all connected with The Gunners. Shall we turn for once to Latin? 'Victoria Concordia Crescit'. Translation: 'Victory grows out of harmony.'"

The Arsenal Crest - a History

Two seasons later and Arsenal unveiled its new crest which incorporated Marksman's latin maxim. Tom Whittaker explained in the 1949/50 handbook (which also included the new crest) that the Club had been impressed by Marksman's motto and it had now been officially adopted by the Club. The new crest also featured 'Arsenal' in a gothic style typeface, the westward facing cannon, the Borough of Islington's coat of arms and ermine.

For the past 53 years this crest has remained largely unchanged (6), though at the start of the 2001/02 season it was 'cleaned up' somewhat (7) for commercial reasons, with a solid yellow replacing the different tones of gold and Victoria Concordia Crescit written in a less ornate typeface.

The Club's identity has thus evolved over the years and the decision to formulate a new crest (8) in 2002 was two-fold. Firstly, as the VCC crest incorporated many separate elements introduced over a number of years, there was uncertainty surrounding its exact origination. Consequently, the Club was unable to copyright the VCC crest. Secondly, it had always been one of the Club's primary objectives to embrace the future and move forward. With a new stadium on the horizon and the Gunners consistently challenging for domestic and European honours, the Club believed that this was the ideal time to introduce a new crest.

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Club Honours

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS (13)
1930/31, 1932/33, 1933/34, 1934/35, 1937/38, 1947/48, 1952/53, 1970/71, 1988/89, 1990/91, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04

CHARITY/COMMUNITY SHIELD WINNERS (11)
1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004

FA CUP WINNERS (10)
1930 Beat Huddersfield Town 2-0
1936 Beat Sheffield United 1-0
1950 Beat Liverpool 2-0
1971 Beat Liverpool 2-1
1979 Beat Manchester United 3-2
1993 Beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1
1998 Beat Newcastle United 2-0
2002 Beat Chelsea 2-0
2003 Beat Southampton 1-0
2005 Beat Manchester Utd 5-4 on penalties (after 0-0 draw)

LEAGUE CUP WINNERS (2)
1987 Beat Liverpool 2-1
1993 Beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1

EUROPEAN RECORD
1970 European Fairs Cup winners beating Anderlecht of Belgium 4-3 on aggregate.
1980 Cup Winners’ Cup finalists losing on penalties to Valencia of Spain in Brussels.
1994 Cup Winners’ Cup winners beating Parma of Italy 1-0 in the final in Copenhagen.
1995 Cup Winners’ Cup finalists losing 2-1 to Real Zaragoza of Spain after extra time in Paris.
2000 UEFA Cup finalists losing 4-1 on penalties to Galatasaray after a 0-0 draw and extra time in Copenhagen.
2006 UEFA Champions League finalists losing 2-1 to Barcelona in Paris.

ARSENAL LADIES’ HONOURS

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE
1992/93, 1994/95, 1996/97, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06

NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP WINNERS
1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005

WFA CUP WINNERS
1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006

NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH WINNERS
1991/92

LONDON SENIOR CUP WINNERS
1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004

YOUTH HONOURS

FA PREMIER YOUTH LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
1997/98

FA NATIONAL ACADEMY PLAY-OFF FINAL WINNERS
Under-17s: 1999/00
Under-19s: 2001/02

SOUTH EAST COUNTIES LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
1991

FA YOUTH CUP WINNERS
1966, 1971, 1988, 1994, 2000, 2001

SOUTHERN JUNIOR CUP WINNERS
1956, 1971, 1984, 1991, 1998

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*Kits

For Arsenal’s last season at Highbury, the Club’s home since 1913, the players will wear, for home matches, a special commemorative strip.

The shirt, redcurrant in colour, matches the shade of the team’s strip in the Club’s first season at Highbury. Adorned with gold lettering and the Club crest the shirt is accompanied by white shorts and redcurrant socks. In addition, the strip is manufactured, despite its authentic look, from the latest ‘breathable’ lightweight sports fabric.

The away strip for 2005/06 consists of yellow shirts, black shorts and black socks with the 2004/05 all-blue change strip becoming the third kit. Once the Club completes the move to Emirates Stadium for the beginning of the 2006/07 season, the players will revert to wearing the famous Arsenal red and white strip, the origins of which tell a great story.

In 1895, two years before the Club became professional, a small group of Nottingham Forest players, Fred Beardsley, Bill Parr and Charlie Bates, joined Dial Square FC, (the Club’s first name) and brought their old red kit along with them. Working to a tight budget, the Club decided the most inexpensive way of acquiring a strip was to kit out the team in the same colour as the ex-Forest players.

This original kit was a dark red, with long sleeves, a collar and three buttons down the front. The shirt was worn with white knee length shorts and heavy woollen socks with blue and white hoops. The goalkeeper wore the same attire apart from the shirt - which was a hand knitted cream woollen polo neck jumper. It was this dark red kit that the team wore during their first season at Highbury in 1913/14.

Beardsley, Parr and Bates’ generosity in providing shirts and inspiring the Club to play in red encouraged several other teams to follow Arsenal’s lead. One of the most famous examples is Sparta Prague whose president, Dr Petric, visited London in 1906. He returned home to Czechoslovakia after having watched Woolwich Arsenal and was so inspired by the kit that he demanded his team play in the same colours. Today, Sparta Prague continue to play in the same dark red kit, not disimilar to Arsenal’s 2005/06 redcurrant.

The Arsenal Kit - a History

It was the arrival of manager Herbert Chapman in 1925 that launched the Arsenal kit as we know it today. Depending on which source you believe, Chapman either noticed someone at the ground wearing a red sleeveless sweater over a white shirt or played golf with famous cartoonist of the day Tom Webster who wore something similar. Either way the ‘look’ inspired the manager to create a new strip combining a red shirt with white collar and sleeves.

It also incorporated the Club badge, which was positioned on the left-hand side of the shirt. In the 1950s a second kit was developed to combat a clash of colours with opposing home teams with similar kits. And in 1960, the Club moved away from the woven rugby shirt style to a new knitted cotton jersey in around 1960.

The Club’s famous cannon graphic appeared on the shirt for the first time in the early 1970s. It was this shirt that Arsenal won their first famous ‘double’, both the League Championship and the FA Cup in the 1970/71 season. In the late 1970s, the shirt featured a kit manufacturers logo for the first time, in this case ‘Umbro’.

And in 1982 ‘JVC’ became the Club’s first shirt sponsor, which in turn made way for ‘SEGA’ in 1999. From the beginning of the 2002/03 season telecommunications company O2 took over as shirt sponsors and from the 2006/07 season this will change to Fly Emirates in a deal which lasts eight years.