MISCELLANEOUS

1. DAVID SEAMAN

2. LEE DIXON

3. NIGEL WINTERBURN

4. PATRICK VIEIRA

5. FRANK McLINTOCK

6. TONY ADAMS

7. LIAM BRADY

8. IAN WRIGHT

9. THIERRY HENRY

10. DENNIS BERGKAMP

11. GEORGE ARMSTRONG

HISTORY - ARSENAL FC: 1886-2007

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 2005 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. In a dramatic final season at Highbury, Arsenal wore a special Home strip to commemorate 93 years at the North London ground. The battle for the last Champions League place went to last day, and fittingly Arsenal signed off at Highbury with a 4-2 win and another Thierry Henry hat-trick, taking his overall total for the club to 214 at the end of the 2005/06 season. On the way to a record-breaking performance in Champions League in 2005/06, Arsenal saw off departee Partick Vieira's Juventus side, and Real Madrid with a famous 1-0 win at the Bernabeu. This earnt the side a chance to win their first European Cup in the final against Barcelona, and led 1-0 with less than 20 minutes to go with 10 men, however Barca fought back to win 2-1. Nonetheless a memorable season and a fitting way to say goodbye to Highbury and to welcome the Gunners to the 60,000 capacity at the new Emirates Stadium in 2006/07. 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, 2007 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 Arsenal 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. The 2004 title was achieved in an entire unbeaten league campaign. He has won four FA Cups to date, appearing in four finals in five years at Cardiff. In Europe, he also guided Arsenal to the UEFA Cup final in 2000, losing to Galatasaray on penalties, and in Arsenal’s final year at Highbury, they reached the Champions League Final losing to Barcelona. With over 500 games at the club, He is still in charge of the Gunners and has overseen their move to a new stadium this season. APPEARANCE AND ATTENDANCES 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) 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 Highest Arsenal appearance holders 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 Goalscoring Records (Correct as of 18th May 2006) Most goals overall 214 Thierry Henry (185 Ian Wright) Most Premiership goals 164 Thierry Henry Most League goals 164 Thierry Henry (Cliff Bastin 150) Most FA Cup goals 26 Cliff Bastin Most League Cup goals 29 Ian Wright Most overall European goals 41 Thierry Henry Most UEFA Champions League goals 35 Thierry Henry Most goals in a season 44 Ted Drake 1934/35 (42 Lge, 1FAC, 1C.Shield) Most League goals in a season 42 Ted Drake 1934/35 Most Premiership goals in a season 30 Thierry Henry 2003/2004 Previously 23 Ian Wright 1993/94 & 1996/97 Most goals in any match by an AFC player 7 Ted Drake (Aston Villa (a) 14 Dec 1935 won 7-1 Lge) Most goals in any match by an AFC player at Highbury 5 Jack Lambert (Sheff Utd 24 Dec 1932 won 9-2 Lge) Most goals in a League match by AFC player at Highbury 5 Jack Lambert (Sheff Utd 24 Dec 1932 won 9-2 Lge) Most goals in a League match by AFC player away 7 Ted Drake (Aston Villa 14 Dec 1935 won 7-1 Lge) Most goals in a FA Cup match by AFC player at Highbury 4 Cliff Bastin (Darwen 9 Jan 1932 won 11-1 FAC3) Most goals in a FA Cup match by AFC player away 4 Ted Drake (Burnley 20 Feb 1937 won 7-1 FAC5) Most goals in a match by an opponent at Highbury 4 Bobby Tambling (Chelsea (h) 14 March 1964 lost 2-4 Lge) Most goals in a match by an opponent away 4 Billy Walker (Aston Villa (a) 28 August 1920 lost 0-5 Lge) 4 Colin Booth (Wolves (a) 10 November 1956 lost 2-5 Lge) Most goals in a European competition match by AFC player 4 Alan Smith (FK Austria (h) 18 Sep 1991 won 6-1 European Cup 1) Previously 3 Thierry Henry (AS Roma (a) 27 Nov 2002 won 3-1 UCL Grp S2) Most goals in a League Cup match by AFC player No AFC player has scored over three goals in a match Fastest recorded goal scored by AFC player 20.07 secs Gilberto (PSV (a) 25 Sept 2002 won 4-0 UCL (1)) This is the fastest ever recorded goal in Champions League history. Last hat-tricks by AFC player at Highbury Thierry Henry (Wigan Athletic 7 May 2006 won 4-2 Lge) Thierry Henry (Middlesbrough 14 January 2006 won 7-0 Lge) Thierry Henry (Norwich 2 April 2005 won 4-1 Lge) Thierry Henry (Portsmouth 5 March 2005 won 3-0 Lge) Thierry Henry (Leeds Utd 16 April 2004 won 5-0 Lge) Thierry Henry (Liverpool 9 April 2004 won 4-2 Lge) Jermaine Pennant (Southampton 7 May 2003 won 6-1 Lge) Last hat-tricks by AFC player away Thierry Henry (AS Roma 27 Nov 2002 won 3-1 UCL Grp Stge2) Ray Parlour (Werder Bremen 23 Mar 2000 won 4-2 UEFA QF) Kanu (Chelsea 23 Oct 1999 won 3-2 Lge) Last hat-trick by an opponent at Highbury Mick Quinn (Coventry City 14 Aug 1993 lost 0-3 Lge) Last hat-trick by an opponent away Dwight Yorke (Manchester Utd 25 Feb 2001 lost 1-6 Lge) Last AFC player scored more than three goals at Highbury 4 Thierry Henry (Leeds Utd 16 April 2004 won 5-0 Lge) 4 Ian Wright (Everton 21 Dec 1991 won 4-2 Lge) 4 Alan Smith (FK Austria 18 Sep 1991 won 6-1 European Cup 1) 4 Cliff Holton (Man City 6 Oct 1956 won 7-3 Lge) Last time AFC player scored more than three goals away 5 Tony Woodcock (AVilla29 Oct 1983 won6-2 Lge) 4 David Herd (Everton 6 Sept 1958 won 6-1 Lge) Youngest AFC goalscorer overall Francesc Fabregas (16 years 212 days v Wolves (h) Lge Cup 2 Dec 2003 won 5-1) Youngest AFC goalscorer in League Francesc Fabregas (17 years 113 days v Blackburn Rovers (h) Lge 25 Aug 2004 won 3-0) Youngest AFC goalscorer in Premiership Francesc Fabregas (17 years 113 days v Blackburn Rovers (h) Lge 25 Aug 2004 won 3-0) Youngest AFC goalscorer Europe Francesc Fabregas (17 years 217 days v Rosenborg (h) Champions League 7 Dec 2004 won 5-1) Youngest AFC goalscorer in FA Cup Cliff Bastin (17 years 303 days v Chelsea (h) FAC3 11 Jan 1930 won 2-0) Youngest AFC scorer of hat-trick John Radford (17 years 315 days v Wolves (h) Lge 2 Jan 1965 won 4-1) Firsts First competitive match (as Woolwich Arsenal) v Newcastle Utd (h) - Manor Ground Plumstead 2 Sept 1893 - League (Second Divison) Drew 2-2 (W Shaw, A Elliott) First competitive match at Highbury (as Woolwich Arsenal) v Leicester Fosse 6 Sept 1913 - League (Second Division) Won 2-1 (Jobey, Devine pen) First competitive match as Arsenal v Bristol City (h) 4 April 1914 - League drew 1-1 (Winship) First league match at 'home' v Newcastle Utd (h) - Manor Ground Plumstead 2 Sept 1893 - League (Second Divison) Drew 2-2 (W Shaw, A Elliott) First league match away Notts County (a) 9 Sept 1893 Lost 2-3 (A Elliott, W Shaw) First Premiership match Norwich City (h)15 Aug 1992 Lost 2-4 (Bould, Campbell) First FA Cup match (Played at Manor Ground, Plumstead) Ashford United (h) 14 Oct 1893 - FA Cup (1) Won 12-0 (Elliott 3, Henderson 3, Booth 2, Heath 2, Crawford, Powell) First League Cup match Gillingham (h) 13 Sept 1966 (Round 2) drew 1-1 (Baldwin) First match in European comps at home Staevnet (Denmark) 22 Oct 1963 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Lost 2-3 (Skirton, Barnwell) First match in European comps away Staevnet (Denmark) 25 Sept 1963 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Won 7-1 (Strong 3, Baker 3, MacLeod) First match in UEFA Champions League RC Lens (a) 16 Sept 1998 Drew 1-1 (Overmars) First match in Charity/Community Shield Oct 8 1931 (Sheff Wed at Stamford Bridge) Won 2-1 (Joe Hulme, David Jack) Record Scorelines WINS Biggest AFC home win overall 12-0 (Loughborough Town (h) 12 March 1900 - Lge (Div 2)) 12-0 (Ashford United (h) 14 Oct1893- FA Cup (1)) Biggest AFC away win overall 7-0 (Standard Liege (a) 3 Nov 1993- Cup Winrs' Cup(2)) Biggest AFC home win in the League 12-0 (Loughborough Town (h) 12 March 1900 - Lge (Div 2)) Biggest AFC home win in Top Division 9-1 (Grimsby Town (h) 28 Jan 1931 - Div 1) Biggest AFC away win in the League 7-1 (Aston Villa (a) 14 Dec 1935 - Div 1) Biggest AFC home win in Premiership 7-0 (Everton (h) 12 May 2005) 7-0 (Middlesbrough (h) 14 January 2006) Biggest AFC away win in Premiership 6-1 (Middlesbrough (a) 24 April 1999) Biggest AFC home win in all Euro competitions 7-1 (Dinamo Bacau (Rom) (h) 18 March 1970- Euro Fairs Cup (4)) Biggest AFC away win in all Euro competitions 7-0 (Standard Liege (a) 3 Nov 93 Cup Winrs' Cup (2)) Biggest AFC home win in UEFA Champions League 5-1 (Rosenborg(h)7 Dec2004-UCL GrpStge) Biggest AFC Wembley win in UEFA Champions League 3-1 (AIK Solna 22 Sept 1999 - UCL Group Stge 1) Biggest AFC away win in UEFA Champions League 5-1 (Inter Milan (a) 25 Nov 2003-UCL Grp Stge1) 4-0 (PSV Eindhoven (a) 25 Sept 2002 - UCL Grp Stge1) Biggest AFC home win in FA Cup 12-0 (Ashford United (h) 14 Oct 1893 -FA Cup (1)) Biggest AFC away win in FA Cup 7-1 (Burnley (a) 20 Feb 1937 - FA Cup 5) Biggest AFC home win in League Cup 7-0 (Leeds Utd (h) 4 Sept 1979 - Lge Cup 2) Biggest AFC away win in League Cup 6-1 (Scunthorpe Utd (a) 25 Sept 1968 - Lge Cup 2) 6-1 (Plymouth Argyle (a) 3 Oct 1989 - Lge Cup 2) Biggest win under Arsène Wenger 7-0 (Everton (h) 12 May 2005 - Premiership) 7-0 (Middlesbrough (h) 14 January 2006 - Premiership) DEFEATS Biggest AFC home defeat overall 0-6 (Derby County (h) 28 Jan 1899 FA Cup 1) Biggest AFC away defeat overall 0-8 (Loughborough Town (a) 12 Dec 1896 Lge Div 2) Biggest AFC home defeat in the League 0-5 (Liverpool (h) 28 Oct 1893 Div 2) Biggest AFC home defeat in Top Division 0-5 (Huddersfield Town (h) 14 Feb 1925 Div 1) Biggest AFC away defeat in the League 0-7 (West Ham Utd (a) 7 March 1927 Div 1) 0-7 (Newcastle Utd (a) 3 Oct 1925 - Div 1) 0-7 (West Brom (a) 14 Oct 1922 - Div 1) 0-7 (Blackburn (a) 2 Oct 1909 - Div 1) Biggest AFC home defeat in Premiership 0-3 (Coventry City 14 Aug 1993) 0-3 (Middlesbrough 14 April 2001) 2-4 (Charlton Ath 4 Nov 2001) Biggest AFC away defeat in the Premiership 1-6 (Manchester Utd 25 Feb 2001) Biggest AFC home defeat in all Euro competitions 2-5 (Spartak Moscow 29 Sept 1982 - UEFA Cup (1)) Biggest AFC away defeat in all Euro competitions 0-3 (Shakhtar Donetsk 7 Nov 2000 - UCL Grp Stage 1) 1-4 (Spartak Moscow 22 Nov 2000 - UCL Grp Stge 2) Biggest AFC home defeat in UEFA Champions League 0-3 (Inter Milan 17 September 2003 - UCL Group Stge 1) Biggest AFC away defeat in UEFA Champions League 0-3 (Shakhtar Donetsk 7 Nov 2000 - UCL Grp Stage 1) 1-4 (Spartak Moscow 22 Nov 2000 - UCL Grp Stge 2) Biggest AFC Wembley defeat in UEFA Champions League 2-4 (Barcelona 19 Oct 1999 - UCL Group Stge 1) Biggest AFC home defeat in FA Cup 0-6 (Derby County (h) 28 Jan 1899 FA Cup 1) Biggest AFC away defeat in FA Cup 1-6 (Burnley (a) 1 Feb 1896 FA Cup 1) Biggest AFC home defeat in League Cup 0-5 (Chelsea (h) 11 Nov 1999 Lge Cup 4) Biggest AFC away defeat in League Cup 0-4 (Blackburn (a) 11 Dec 2001 Lge Cup 5) Biggest home defeat under Arsène Wenger 0-5 (Chelsea (h) 11 Nov 1999 Lge Cup 4) Biggest away defeat under Arsène Wenger 1-6 (Manchester Utd (a) 25 Feb 2001 Lge) DRAWS Highest scoring home draw overall 4-4 on six occasions - Last v Tottenham H 15 Oct 1963 Highest scoring away draw overall 6-6 (Leicester City 21 April 1930 Lge) Highest scoring home draw in the Premiership 3-3 (Chelsea 4 Sept 1996) 3-3 (Sheff Wed 9 May 2000) 3-3 (Blackburn Rovers 20 Oct 2001) Highest scoring away draw in the Premiership 3-3 (Leicester City 27 Aug 1997) Highest scoring home draw in all Euro competitions 2-2 (Brondby 3 Nov 1994 - Cup Winrs' Cup(2)) 2-2 (Bayern Munich 5 Dec 2000- UCL Group Stge 2) Highest scoring away draw in all Euro competitions 3-3 (Nantes 9 Dec 1999 - UEFA Cup (3)) 2-2 (Magdeburg (Ger) 7 Nov 1979 - Cup Winrs' Cup(2)) Highest scoring home draw in UEFA C.League 2-2 (Bayern Munich 5 Dec 2000- UCL GroupStge 2) Highest scoring away draw in UEFA C.League 1-1 (Last v Chelsea 24 March 2004 - UCL QF1) Sequences Overall consecutive wins 14 (From 12 Sept 1987) 14 (From 10 Feb 2002) Overall consecutive defeats 8 (From 12 Feb 1977) Overall consecutive draws 6 (From 4 March 1961) Consecutive League wins 10 (From 12 Sept 1987) Consecutive Premiership wins 14 (From 10 Feb 2002) Consecutive League wins at start of a season 8 (1903/04) 6 (1947/48) 4 (2003/2004) Consecutive League defeats 7 (From 12 Feb 1977) Consecutive Premiership defeats 4 (From 21 Nov 1992) 4 (From 5 March 1995) Consecutive League draws 6 (From 4 March 1961) Consecutive Premiership draws 5 (From 3 Jan 1994) Consecutive matches unbeaten in all comps 24 (From 20 March 2002 - 19 Oct 2002) 22 (From 26 Oct 2003) Consecutive League matches unbeaten 26 (From 28 April 1990) Consecutive Premiership matches unbeaten 49 (From 7 May 2003 - 1 February 2005) This is an overall record. Previously held by Man Utd (29 matches) 1998 - 1999. Consecutive League matches unbeaten at start of a season 23 (From 25 Aug 1990 - 2 February 1991) Consecutive Premiership matches unbeaten at start of a season 38 (All Season: 16 Aug 2003 - 15 May 2004) Consecutive League home matches unbeaten 33 (From 1 Nov 1902) Consecutive Premiership home matches unbeaten 32 (From 7 May 2003) Consecutive matches without a win in all comps 19 (From 28 Sept 1912) Consecutive League matches without a win 23 (From 28 Sept 1912) Consecutive Premiership matches without a win 8 (From 21 Nov 1992) Consecutive League home wins 15 (From 5 Sept 1903) Consecutive Premiership home wins 12 (From 23 Feb 2001) Consecutive League away wins 6 (From 22 Oct 1977) Consecutive Premiership away wins 8 (From 23 Jan 2002) Consecutive League home defeats 4 On three occasions (Last from 14 Nov 1959) Consecutive Premiership home defeats 2 On four occasions (Last From 30 Dec 1995) Consecutive League away defeats 13 (From 13 Dec 1924) Consecutive Premiership away defeats 4 (From 21 Nov 1992) 4 (From 8 March 1995) League consecutive home matches without a win 16 (From 27 April 1911) Premiership consecutive home matches without a win 8 (From 6 Nov 1994) Consecutive League away matches unbeaten 13 (From 5 May 1990) Consecutive Premiership away matches unbeaten 23 (From 18 Aug 2001) This is an overall English record. Previously held by Nottingham Forest (22 matches) in old Div 1 Nov 1977 - Dec 1978. Consecutive League away matches without a win 15 (From 7 Jan 1928) Consecutive Premiership away matches without a win 6 On four occasions (Last from 26 Dec 1999) Consecutive League clean sheets 8 (From 10 April 1903) Consecutive Premiership clean sheets 6 (From 26 Dec 1999) Consecutive League matches without scoring 6 (From 25 Feb 1987) Consecutive Premiership matches without scoring 4 (From 21 Nov 1992) Consecutive League matches scoring 31 (From 3 May 1930) Consecutive Premiership matches scoring 55 (19 May 2001 - 7 Dec 2002) Overall English record. Previous record was held by Chesterfield (46 matches) achieved in Division Three North between 1929-1930. League consecutive matches conceding 39 (From 2 April 1930) Premiership consecutive matches conceding 11 (From 9 Dec 2001) RECENT AFC 'WITHOUT SCORING' RECORDS Last time AFC went two consecutive matches without scoring 17 Sept 2003 Inter Milan (h) (UCL Grp Stge) 0-3 20 Sept 2003 Manchester United (a) (LGE) 0-0 Last time AFC went two consecutive League matches without scoring 11 Nov 2000 Derby County (h) (LGE) 0-0 18 Nov 2000 Everton (a) (LGE) 0-2 Last time AFC went two consecutive 'home' matches without scoring 27 Oct 1999 Fiorentina (Wembley) (UCL Grp Stg) 0-1 30 Oct 1999 Newcastle United (h) (LGE) 0-0 Last time AFC went two consecutive matches at Highbury without scoring 11 Nov 1998 Chelsea (h) (Lge Cup 4) 0-5 14 Nov 1998 Tottenham Hotspur (h) (LGE) 0-0 Last time AFC went two consecutive League matches at Highbury without scoring 15 April 1996 Tottenham Hotpsur (h) (LGE) 0-0 1 May 1996 Liverpool (h) (LGE) 0-0 Last time AFC went three consecutive matches without scoring 7 Nov 2000 Shakhtar Donetsk (a) (UCL) 0-3 11 Nov 2000 Derby County (a) (LGE) 0-0 18 Nov 2000 Everton (a) (LGE) 0-2 Last time AFC went three consecutive League matches without scoring 22 Aug 1998 Liverpool (a) (LGE) 0-0 29 Aug 1998 Charlton (h) (LGE) 0-0 9 Sept 1998 Chelsea (a) (LGE) 0-0 The Unbeaten Record UNBEATEN RECORDS Unbeaten in League from the start of a season 38 (All Season) - Arsenal (FA Premier League) 2003/04 29 - Liverpool (Old Div 1) 1987/88 29 - Leeds United (Old Div 1) 1973/74 Unbeaten League sequence during a single season 38 - Arsenal (FA Premier League) 2003/04 30 - Burnley (Old Div 1) 1920/21 Unbeaten sequence in the FA Premier League 49 - Arsenal 2002/03 - 2003/04 - 2004/5 This is an all time unbeaten league sequence! OTHER CURRENT RECORDS / LANDMARKS AFC went unbeaten in 49 Premiership matches. This in an overall record. The unbeaten run was ended on October 24, 2004 by Manchester United, who defeated Arsenal 2-0 at Old Trafford. AFC remained unbeaten at home in the Premiership until February 1, 2005. AFC went the entire 2003/4 Premiership season unbeaten. This an all time record. AFC only lost two Premiership matches in the year 2003. These were Blackburn(a) March 15, 2003 and Leeds(h) May 4, 2003. AFC only lost two Premiership matches in the year 2004. These were Manchester United (a) October 24, 2004 and Liverpool (a) November 28, 2004. AFC went the whole of the year 2004 unbeaten at home in the Premiership. During the 2003/4 Premiership season Arsenal failed to score on only four occassions, 0-0 draws with Birmingham, Newcastle, Fulham and Manchester United. Before the Fulham match, Arsenal had scored in 46 consecutive home league matches, stretching back to Middlesbrough (h) Sat 14 April 2001 (Lost 0-3).

The Managers: Herbert Chapman (1925-1934) George Allison (1934-1947) Bertie Mee (1966-1976) Terry Neill (1976-1983) George Graham (1986-1995) Arsene Wenger (1996 - Present) The players Eddie Hapgood (1927-1939) Cliff Bastin (1929-1946) Ted Drake (1934-1939) Joe Mercer (1946-1954) Jack Kelsey (1949-1962) George Armstrong (1961-1977) Bob Wilson (1963-1974) John Radford (1963-1976) Frank McLintock (1964-1973) Pat Rice (1964-1981) George Graham (1966-1972) Charlie George (1969-1975) Liam Brady (1971-1980) David O' Leary (1975-1993) Alan Sunderland (1977-1984) Pat Jennings (1977-1985) Paul Davis (1979-1995) Kenny Samson (1980-1988) David Rocastle (1983-1992) Tony Adams (1983-2002) John Lukic (1984-90, 96-2000) Martin Keown (1984-86, 93-2003) Paul Merson (1985-1997) Michael Thomas (1986-1991) Alan Smith (1987-1995) Nigel Winterburn (1987-2000) Lee Dixon (1988-2002) Steve Bould (1988-1999) David Seaman (1990-2003) Ian Wright (1991-1998) Ray Parlour (1992-2004) Dennis Bergkamp (1995-2006) Patrick Vieira (1996-2005) Ashley Cole (1999-2006) Robert Pires (2000-2006) Sol Campbell (2001-2006) Freddie Ljungberg (1998-present) Thierry Henry (1999-present)

The Crest 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. 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.'" 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.

Kit Design For Arsenal’s last season at Highbury, the Club’s home since 1913, the players wore, 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. On the club's move to Emirates Stadium at the beginning of the 2006/07 season, the players reverted 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. 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.

Last updated: 1005GMT - 06-03-2007. Future Updates in May 2007, including detailed all-time/year-by-year records, stadium history