Arsenal, founded in 1886, has a rich history with numerous domestic and European trophies. Known for its iconic stadium and successful managers, the club has a strong fan base and significant financial value.
David O’Leary holds the record for the most games played for Arsenal, with an impressive 558 appearances.
In October 1886, Scotsman David Danskin and fifteen fellow munitions workers in Woolwich formed Dial Square Football Club, which was later renamed to Royal Arsenal and then to Woolwich Arsenal. Their first match was played on 11 December 1886 against Eastern Wanderers, which they won 6-0.
Arsenal's first home kit was introduced in 1888, marking the beginning of the club's distinctive kit tradition.
Royal Arsenal won their first trophies, the Kent Senior Cup and London Charity Cup, in 1889-90, and the London Senior Cup in 1890-91. These were the only county association trophies Arsenal won during their time in South East London.
Arsenal's first ever silverware was won as the Royal Arsenal in 1890. The Kent Junior Cup, won by Royal Arsenal's reserves, was the club's first trophy.
In 1891, Royal Arsenal became the first London club to turn professional, marking a significant milestone in the club's history.
Upon becoming a limited liability company in 1893, Royal Arsenal renamed for a second time and registered their new name, Woolwich Arsenal, with the Football League when the club ascended later that year.
In 1910, businessman Henry Norris bought the club after it teetered dangerously close to bankruptcy, providing financial stability.
Herbert Chapman, a legendary figure in Arsenal's history, was appointed as the club's manager in 1913, leading the team to significant success.
In 1914, the club was renamed as Arsenal, signifying a new era and identity for the team.
After the Football League resumed play in 1919 following World War I, Arsenal, which had finished fifth in the Second Division before the war, was controversially promoted to the First Division over higher-placing Tottenham. This decision further intensified the rivalry between the two clubs.
In 1922, Arsenal adopted the nickname 'The Gunners' from the cannon on their crest.
In 1925, star Huddersfield Town manager Herbert Chapman was lured to Arsenal with a record-breaking salary offer, leading to a transformative period for the club.
On 22 January 1927, Arsenal's match at Highbury against Sheffield United was the first English League match to be broadcast live on radio.
In 1930, Arsenal won their first major trophy by defeating Huddersfield Town 2-0 in the FA Cup final. This victory marked the beginning of a successful period for the club.
League Championships followed in 1930–31 and 1932–33 under Herbert Chapman's management, solidifying Arsenal's position as a top club in English football.
Suddenly, in the middle of the 1933–34 season, Herbert Chapman, who had presided over significant changes at Arsenal, died of pneumonia, marking a tragic event in the club's history.
The Arsenal Crest was introduced in 1936 and has since become an iconic symbol of the club's identity.
On 16 September 1937, an exhibition match between Arsenal's first team and the reserves was the first football match in the world to be televised live.
The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (1939) was one of the earliest football-related novels, which was made into a film in the same year. The story centres on a friendly match between Arsenal and an amateur side, one of whose players is poisoned while playing.
The Second World War led to the loss of players' lives and caused significant damage to Arsenal's Highbury home, resulting in a challenging period for the club.
Arsenal won the League title in 1948, marking a period of prosperity for the club after World War II.
In 1949, Arsenal introduced their motto 'Victoria Concordia Crescit' on the badge, along with the word Arsenal.
In 1950, Arsenal secured an FA Cup victory, adding to their post-WWII period of success.
Arsenal clinched another League title in 1953, further solidifying their success in the post-WWII period.
On 22 August 1964, Arsenal featured in the first edition of the BBC's Match of the Day, which screened highlights of their match against Liverpool at Anfield.
Under the management of Bertie Mee, Arsenal achieved their first piece of European silverware, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, marking a turning point in the club's history.
During the 1970/71 season, Arsenal secured the first League and F.A. Cup double in their history, bringing a significant achievement to the club.
Arsenal secured the First Division title by defeating North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at White Hart Lane, with an 87th-minute goal by Ray Kennedy. This victory allowed Arsenal to clinch the title on goal average.
Five days after winning the First Division title, Arsenal emerged victorious in the FA Cup Final against Liverpool, with a 2-1 win at Wembley. Eddie Kelly's 101st-minute equaliser and Charlie George's winning goal secured the Double for Arsenal.
Arsenal's debut in the European Cup ended in disappointment as they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Ajax, who went on to win the trophy. This marked a setback for Arsenal in European competition.
In a repeat of the 1968 League Cup Final, Arsenal lost 1-0 to Leeds United in the FA Cup Final, marking another missed opportunity for a major trophy.
Arsenal finished as runners-up in the First Division, but the Double-winning side had been broken up, and the club's form began to decline.
Former Arsenal player Terry Neill was appointed as the club's youngest-ever manager, despite his previous managerial experience being limited to mid-table achievements with Tottenham.
Arsenal secured a famous 3-2 victory against Manchester United in the FA Cup Final, with Alan Sunderland scoring the winning goal in injury time. This victory showcased Arsenal's resilience and determination.
Despite being the favorites, Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Second Division West Ham United in the FA Cup Final, ending the season without a major trophy.
Arsenal reached the Cup Winners' Cup final but lost on penalties to Valencia, after a goalless draw. This marked another missed opportunity for a major European trophy.
Terry Neill was sacked as Arsenal manager following several embarrassing cup defeats and challenges in controlling the team. This marked the end of his tenure at the club.
In 1985, Arsenal founded a community scheme called 'Arsenal in the Community', which provided various projects related to sports, social inclusion, education, and charity.
Former double-winning player George Graham returned as manager, leading Arsenal to two League titles, two League cups, an F.A. Cup, and a European Cup Winners' Cup, before being dismissed due to bribery accusations.
In the 1986-87 season, Arsenal won the League Cup, marking their first major trophy in eight years. They achieved this by defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals and then overcoming Liverpool in the final.
Arsenal immediately won the 1988 Football League Centenary Trophy, gaining a cult following after initial successes.
In a highly dramatic fashion, Arsenal won their first League title since 1971. They secured the title by defeating Liverpool at Anfield, with Michael Thomas scoring the crucial goal in the final moments of the game.
In November 1990, Arsenal had two points deducted after a brawl with Manchester United players, and their captain Tony Adams was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for drink driving just before Christmas.
In September 1991, Arsenal paid a club record of £2.5million for Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright, who became their all-time leading goalscorer during his seven years at the club.
In the inaugural season of the FA Premier League in 1992–93, Arsenal finished 10th, scoring fewer goals than any other team in the division, despite briefly topping the table in November.
In 1992–93, Arsenal became the first side to win the FA Cup and League Cup double, with victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Tottenham Hotspur.
In 1993–94, Arsenal won their second European trophy by beating favourites and holders Parma 1–0 in the Cup Winners' Cup final in Copenhagen.
On October 13, 1995, 'The End: 80 Years of Life on the Terraces' by Tom Watt was published, providing insights into the experiences of Arsenal fans over the years.
Frenchman Arsene Wenger's arrival at Highbury marked the beginning of a new era of success for Arsenal, introducing a more youth-focused recruitment philosophy and shaping talented players into world-beating megastars.
On 3 May 1997, Arsenal won the English league title under Arsène Wenger, overcoming a twelve-point deficit to overtake Manchester United. This marked Wenger's first silverware and made him the first foreign manager to win the English league.
In the summer of 1998, Ian Wright left Arsenal after breaking Cliff Bastin's goalscoring record, bringing his tally to 185 goals.
In 1999, Arsenal lost the last ever FA Cup semi-final replay to Manchester United. Dennis Bergkamp had missed a penalty in normal time, and Ryan Giggs scored the winner in extra time after a mazy solo run through the Arsenal defence.
Arsenal finished second in the 2000-01 season, ten points behind Manchester United. The title race was effectively over in February when Arsenal lost 6–1 at Old Trafford.
In 2000, Arsenal reached the UEFA Cup final, facing Galatasaray in Copenhagen. The match ended in a 0–0 draw with few chances; it went to penalties and Arsenal lost after Davor Šuker and Patrick Vieira missed their spot-kicks.
Arsenal used a metallic gold and navy strip as their away kit in the 2001–02 season, a variation from the traditional yellow and blue.
Arsenal became the first club in more than 20 years to retain the FA Cup, with a 1–0 victory against Southampton thanks to a goal from Robert Pires.
During the 2003/04 season, Arsenal not only won the Premier League but also remained unbeaten for the whole campaign, creating a legendary team known as The Invincibles.
Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run to 49 consecutive matches, an English league football record, before finishing second in the 2004-05 season, 12 points behind Chelsea.
Arsenal secured fourth place and a Champions League spot in the 2005-06 season after winning their last three matches, including a 4–2 victory over Wigan Athletic in the last ever match at Highbury.
Arsenal relocated from Highbury to the newly built Emirates Stadium, symbolizing the club's consistent on-pitch success and financial fortunes.
On May 7, 2006, Arsenal bid farewell to Highbury with a 4-2 victory over Wigan, securing a Champions League spot and marking the end of 93 years of history with an emotional closing ceremony. Highbury will forever hold a special place in Arsenal's legacy, but the Emirates Stadium represents the club's future.
Arsenal reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in their history in the 2005-06 season. They became the first London club to achieve this feat, showcasing a strong performance in the competition.
Thierry Henry became Arsenal's top goalscorer with 228 goals, leaving a remarkable legacy in the club's history.
A book titled 'Arsenal: The Official Biography: The Compelling Story of an Amazing Club' by Steve Stammers was published on November 7, 2008, providing an in-depth look into the history of Arsenal football club.
In the 2009–10 season, Arsenal announced that they had raised a record breaking £818,897 for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, surpassing the original target of £500,000.
In November 2009, Stan Kroenke increased his holding to 29.9%, edging closer to the 30% takeover threshold.
In January 2010, Sky's coverage of Arsenal's match against Manchester United was the first live public broadcast of a sports event on 3D television.
A book titled 'So Paddy Got Up: An Arsenal anthology' was published on December 7, 2011, and it is related to Arsenal football club.
With the retirement of Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, Arsene Wenger became the Premier League’s longest serving manager, continuing to lead Arsenal in their quest for glory.
On August 21, 2014, 'Highbury: The Story of Arsenal in N.5' by Jon Spurling was published, focusing on the history of Arsenal football club at Highbury.
On October 8, 2015, 'The Official Arsenal FC Book of Records' was published, presenting a comprehensive collection of records related to Arsenal football club.
On 3 September 2016, The Arsenal Foundation donated £1m to build football pitches for children in London, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, and Somalia thanks to The Arsenal Foundation Legends Match against Milan Glorie at the Emirates Stadium.
In 2017, Arsenal emerged victorious in the Community Shield, with Sead Kolašinac and Petr Čech playing pivotal roles in the team's success.
Arsene Wenger departed Arsenal following the end of the 2017-2018 season, marking the end of his 21-year tenure at the club.
After an overhaul in the club's operating model following Wenger's departure, Unai Emery was appointed as Arsenal's new head coach, marking the club's first ever 'head coach' and the second manager from outside the United Kingdom.
On 3 June 2018, Arsenal played Real Madrid in the Corazon Classic Match 2018 at the Bernabeu, where the proceeds went to Real Madrid Foundation projects aimed at the most vulnerable children.
Arsenal had a fixture on March 31, 2019.
Emery was dismissed as manager, and former player Freddie Ljungberg was appointed as interim head coach.
Former club captain Mikel Arteta was appointed as the new head coach of Arsenal, leading the team to their lowest finish since 1994–95 in the league season, but also securing a record-extending 14th FA Cup win.
In 2020, Arsenal secured victory in the Community Shield, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emiliano Martínez contributing significantly to the win.
Arsenal were announced as a founding club of the breakaway European competition The Super League, but withdrew from the competition two days later amid near-universal condemnation.
Arsenal returned to the Champions League by coming second in the 2022–23 Premier League season after leading the league for most of the season.
In 2023, Arsenal won the Community Shield, with Leandro Trossard and Aaron Ramsdale playing key roles in the victory.
Reiss Nelson signed with Arsenal in 2024.