Arsenal Thread....

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I've seen this done b4, wiv other teams, and it works well. Basically, the idea behind this is we post anything related to Arsenal pro or con...on here. This thread will b open to arseanal and non-arsenal fans alike. Plz feel free to post pro and anti Arsenal comments...If we can maintain all Arsenal chat to here, it will definately b summing to look back upon in yrs to come, as nice history.

I've kicked it off wiv a history...taken from 7ral sources...

Club 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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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.

ARSENAL LADIES’ HONOURS

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

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

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

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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Club Records

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
344 David Seaman (332 Ray Parlour)

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)

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

ATTENDANCES (HOME ONLY)

Highest
Premiership 38,419 v Leicester City 15 May 2004
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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Goalscoring Records

(Correct as of 15th January 2006)

Most goals overall
198 Thierry Henry

Most Premiership goals
150 Thierry Henry

Most League goals
150 Cliff Bastin/Thierry Henry

Most FA Cup goals
26 Cliff Bastin

Most League Cup goals
29 Ian Wright

Most overall European goals
38 Thierry Henry

Most UEFA Champions League goals
31 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)

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 (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)

 

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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)

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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 (S****horpe 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)

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Records against Tottenham

First competitive match against Spurs
Dec 4 1909 (League) Home (Manor Ground Plumstead) Won 1-0 (Walter Lawrence)

Biggest AFC home win over Spurs
5-1 (20 Oct 1934 - Lge. Ted Drake3, Pat Beasley, T.Evans (og))

Biggest AFC away win over Spurs
6-0 (6 March 1935-Lge. Alf Kirchen 2, Ted Drake 2, Peter Dougall, Cliff Bastin (p))

Biggest AFC home defeat to Spurs
0-3 (14 December 1912 - League)
0-3 (27 February 1954 - League)

Biggest AFC away defeat to Spurs
0-5 (25 December 1911 - League)
0-5 (4 April 1983 - League)

Last AFC win
5-4 (13 Nov 2004 - League. AFC Henry, Lauren, Vieira, Ljungberg, Pires. Spurs Naybet, Defoe, King, Kanoute)

Last Spurs win
1-2 (7 Nov 1999 - League. AFC Vieira. Spurs. Iversen, Sherwood)

Last AFC win at White Hart Lane
5-4 (13 Nov 2004 - League. AFC Henry, Lauren, Vieira, Ljungberg, Pires. Spurs Naybet, Defoe, King, Kanoute)

Last Spurs win at Highbury
1-3 (11 May 1993 - Lge - Last match of season.)
(AFC: Dickov. Spurs: John Hendry 2, Sheringham)

 

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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

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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).

 

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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.




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.

 

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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.

 

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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 the past two years Thierry Henry finished second in the FIFA World Player of the Year award, behind compatriot Zinedine Zidane in 2003 and Andriy Shevchenko in 2004.
* 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 and Ashley Cole were both 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, Robert Pires and Gilberto all have World Cup winner’s medals.
* Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole’s superb performances earned them 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 and Robert Pires 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 seventh 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 last season as top scorer in European league football. He is 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 its 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 last season, 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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Arsenal Stadium, Highbury



Arsenal Stadium, known almost universally by its original name of Highbury, has been the Club’s home since 1913, when the decision was made to leave The Manor Ground in Plumstead.

The move to North London was down to Henry Norris, who took over at Woolwich Arsenal while still chairman at Fulham in 1910. His initial plan was to merge Fulham and Woolwich Arsenal, but the proposal was rejected by the Football League.

He was then told by the League that it was a conflict of interests to control both clubs, and so he chose to concentrate his efforts on Woolwich Arsenal — the first London club to turn professional and the first to be admitted to the League. In 1912/13 though, Woolwich Arsenal, already in desperate financial straits, were relegated from Division One (for the only time in the Club’s history) with a record low of just 18 points and 26 goals.

In a bid to revive the Gunners fortunes, and to increase the supporter base, Norris decided to move the Club. After originally sounding out sites at Battersea and Harringay, he decided on a plot of land in Highbury, the site of the playing fields of St John’s College of Divinity. Despite local opposition to the move, from residents and other north London football clubs, the deeds were signed early in 1913.

Arsenal paid £20,000 for a 21-year lease on six acres of land and, as part of the deal, agreed not to play at home on Christmas Day or Good Friday. The college remained at the southern end of the stadium until it burnt down at the end of the Second World War. The Club dropped ‘Woolwich’ from their name during the season following the move north of the river, but much work had to be done at Highbury before Arsenal could play their first game there.

The new stadium was designed by Archibald Leitch, who also designed stands for Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham and Glasgow Rangers. The pitch was levelled, a new grandstand was partly built, and turnstiles and terracing were installed - all at great expense to Norris (later Sir Henry Norris). The main stand was on the East side, and housed 9,000 spectators.

The first match was a 2-1 victory over Leicester Fosse, on September 6, 1913, with the stadium not entirely complete. When league football resumed after the First World War, Arsenal were a Division One team (they have been ever since) and in 1920 the ground hosted its first ever international fixture. In 1925 the Club paid a further £64,000 to buy the site outright, and the restrictions on playing on Good Friday and Christmas Day were lifted.

The current West Stand was designed by architect Claude Waterlow Ferrier and was opened in December 1932. It was the most advanced grandstand ever seen in England and had seats for 4,000 in addition to standing capacity for 17,000. The two-tier stand cost £50,000 to build. It was in the 1930s that the stadium’s name was changed to Arsenal Stadium, and in October 1936, the art deco style East Stand (which is Grade Two listed) was opened.

This stand housed the offices, players’ facilities and the main entrance (the famous Marble Halls). It cost £130,000 and had seating for 8,000. It is in the Marble Halls that the bronze bust of Herbert Chapman, Arsenal’s legendary manager who died in 1934, was positioned, and has remained to this day. In the Second World War Arsenal Stadium was used as a first aid post.

During the war incendiary bombs destroyed the North Bank roof. In 1948 Highbury was used as one of the football venues during the London Olympic Games. In 1951 floodlights were added and in 1956 the North Bank roof was rebuilt. Undersoil heating followed in 1964 and extra seating was installed in the West Stand in 1969.

At the South end of the stadium, the practice pitch was replaced by an indoor training centre. The Clock End stand was redeveloped completely in 1989, to provide room for 48 executive boxes and further office space. In 1991, following the Taylor Report, work began to convert Highbury into an all-seater stadium.

A new, two-tier North Bank stand was opened in 1993, providing seating for 12,000 spectators, and also housing a shop and museum. Other modernisations have followed, including the introduction of two huge screens and electric scoreboards.

Today Arsenal Stadium has a capacity of 38,419, as the venue has modernised throughout the years, while also retaining a great sense of tradition and history.

 

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Highbury Highlights:

1. First competitive match at Highbury



First competitive match at Highbury (as Woolwich Arsenal) v Leicester Fosse 6 Sept 1913

What better way to start ‘Highbury Highlights’ than with Arsenal’s first game at the ground?

It came at the beginning of the 1913-14 season and Leicester Fosse were the visitors. Despite their move north of the Thames, the Club kept “Woolwich” at the start of their name until the back end of that campaign.

This was a second division fixture after Arsenal’s relegation at the end of the previous campaign. Benfield put Leicester ahead in the first half but George Jobey nodded in the equaliser before the break from Winship’s corner. Devine secured the points for Arsenal in front of a crowd numbering 20,000 from the penalty spot with 12 minutes to go after a Leicester defender handled.

The game was marred by an injury to Jobey. He received a kick in the back and was attended to by doctors and ambulancemen. He was later transported back to his house on a cart borrowed from a local milkman.

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2. Last game in red and white kit



Last game in the red and white kit v Everton 11 May 2005

The final home game of the 2004/05 campaign was a poignant occasion for a number of reasons.

The Club's decision to mark its last year at Highbury with a commemorative 'redcurrant' strip meant that the famous red and white shirt was making its final appearance at the famous old stadium.

Arsenal gave the colours a perfect send-off with an awesome display of attacking football to thrash Everton 7-0 and record the biggest win of any kind under Arsène Wenger.

Dennis Bergkamp marked what some thought would be his last appearance at Highbury with a dazzling performance, capped by a second-half goal. 'One more year,' chanted the crowd, and their wishes were granted when Bergkamp was offered a new deal.

It was an even more emotional night for Edu, who had decided to move to pastures new. He rounded off his Arsenal career in style with a penalty in front of the North Bank after his team-mates insisted he take the spot-kick.

Robin van Persie, Robert Pires (2), Patrick Vieira and Mathieu Flamini were also on target as the Gunners put on a show to remember. The next time they wear red and white, Arsenal will be at their new home.

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3. Allison's side attract record crowd



Largest attendance at Highbury - 73,295 v Sunderland 9 March 1935

Arsenal’s highest attendance at Highbury crowded into the stadium for a game against Sunderland on March 9, 1935 in the old first division.

A total of 73,295 people turned up, but they were not treated to a thriller as the match ended 0-0. George Allison’s side went on to win the championship that season.

Arsenal have recorded a greater attendance than this for a 'home' game. The Club used Wembley Stadium to host Champions League home games for two seasons - 1998/99 and 1999/00 - and 73,707 people watched RC Lens win 1-0 on November 25, 1998.

The biggest attendance at Highbury since the advent of the Premiership was on May 15, 2004 when 38,214 fans turned out to see Patrick Vieira lift the Premiership trophy after a 2-1 win completed Arsenal's famous unbeaten season.

 

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4. Cooper and Ali's world title fight



Muhammad Ali v Henry Cooper world title fight 21 May 1966

Highbury hosted one of the most important fights ever held in Britain on May 21, 1966 as Henry Cooper challenged Muhammad Ali for the World Heavyweight title.

A crowd of 46,000 — including Hollywood stars Lee Marvin and George Raft - saw the British champion put up a brave battle before being stopped in the sixth round due to a cut over his left eye.

Charlie George, than an apprentice, helped build the ring for the event and, in Arsenal Miscellany, Ken Friar said: “The logistics of transforming the ground into a venue suitable for a boxing match were amazing. The whole pitch was renovated and reseeded before it was boarded over.”

This fight is not to be confused with the 1964 fight between the two men when Cooper felled Ali, not yet a world champion, in the fourth round. That fight was held at Wembley and the Englishman was stopped on cuts in the fifth.

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5. Wright breaks Bastin's goalscoring record



Ian Wright breaks Cliff Bastin's goalscoring record 13 September 1997

'Wrighty' cemented his place in Arsenal history on a magical day at Highbury.

The effervescent striker had moved to within one goal of Cliff Bastin's record tally of 178 with a double against Coventry over four weeks earlier but three successive blanks had kept him waiting.

Another anti-climax looked possible when Alan Thompson gave Bolton a shock lead at Highbury but Wrighty latched onto Dennis Bergkamp's pass to fire in the equaliser after 20 minutes.

That goal took him level with Bastin but, in the excitement, Wright removed his shirt to reveal a T-shirt with the words '179 - Just Done It!'.

He only had to wait five minutes to put that right. Bergkamp's surge took him into the box, his low shot was parried and Patrick Vieira slid in to knock the ball into Wright's path a yard from goal. He couldn't miss.

The record was his but, typically, Wright wasn't finished. He rounded off his hat-trick - and a 4-1 victory - in the second half and took home the match ball.

Few would bet against Thierry Henry doing likewise when the final season at Highbury gets underway. Wright ended his Arsenal career with 185 goals; the French striker finished the 2004/05 campaign just four short of that mark.

6. Final game in front of the old North Bank



Final game in front of the old North Bank 2 May 1992

The old North Bank was one of the most famous terraces in football. The roof - built in 1935 and then rebuilt after being hit by a bomb during the Blitz - sheltered the heart and soul of Arsenal's support.

It stood proudly until the summer of 1992 when the bulldozers moved in to build the current North Bank Stand.

The final game in front of the old North Bank took place on May 2, 1992. It was a poignant occasion for many but, typically, Arsenal gave the terrace a rousing send-off.

Southampton were the visitors and, although the title had long since slipped away, Ian Wright still had the Golden Boot in his sights. Gary Lineker started the day a goal ahead of the Arsenal striker.

In many ways it was a routine home win for the Gunners. Kevin Campbell, Alan Smith and a Wright penalty put them 3-1 up but, with Lineker netting at Old Trafford, the Tottenham striker was still in pole position for the Golden Boot.

It stayed that way until stoppage time. Wright screamed for the ball deep on the left and was picked out by David Seaman's accurate throw. He shrugged off one challenge, cut inside another defender and hammered the ball into the bottom corner.

Arsenal had time for one more attack. Wright swung his leg at a right-wing cross, the ball flew off his shin and once again nestled in the goal at the North Bank end.

Wright had clinched the Golden Boot in the most dramatic fashion. Just as importantly, the North Bank crowd had one more magical moment to treasure as they left their terrace for the final time.

 

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7. Arsenal's first game under floodlights



Arsenal's first game under floodlights 19 September 1951

This is the real Highbury high light. On September 19, 1951, the ground hosted its first major fixture under floodlights.

Herbert Chapman had been considering using this new innovation since the 1930s and had installed them at the training ground after seeing them used on the trip to Belgium.

Arsenal beat Hapeol Tel Aviv 6-1 as Highbury was illuminated for the first time.

Later the Club programme stated: “It was interesting to hear a remark from the terraces that a considerably better view was enjoyed than on a number of poor Saturdays when strained eyes were peering into the falling gloom just before the final whistle.”

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8. Seven Gunners in the England team



Arsenal provide seven players in the England team 14 November 1934

The foggy afternoon of November 14, 1934 saw Arsenal provide seven of England's starting XI for a friendly against world champions Italy, a record contribution which still stands today.

Fittingly, the game took place at Highbury and ended in a 3-2 victory for England. It was ultimately dubbed 'The Battle of Highbury' after a succession of bruising challenges and injuries at a time when substitutions were not permitted.

Frank Moss, George Male, Eddie Hapgood, Wilf Copping, Ray Bowden, Ted Drake and Cliff Bastin were the Arsenal players involved. Hapgood captained England for the first time while Drake and Male made their international debuts.

Italy played almost the entire match with 10 men after a tackle from Drake left centre-half Monti with a broken bone in his foot after two minutes.

Within 10 minutes the Azzurri were three goals down after a double from Eric Brook and a strike from Drake himself. In a fractious first-half, Hapgood left the pitch for 15 minutes to tend a broken nose following a stray Italian elbow.

Hapgood returned to action but, even with a man advantage, England were soon under pressure. Meazza scored twice in the second half to set up a thrilling finish but Arsenal goalkeeper Moss kept the Italians at bay.

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9. The renaming of Gillespie Road station



The renaming of Gillespie Road tube station 5 November 1932

Arsenal are the only football team in London with an Underground Station named after them.

This is largely down to foresight of Herbert Chapman, who pushed hard for the Tube stop just behind the North Bank to be re-christened. “Whoever heard of Gillespie Road,” he said at one point in the talks. “It is Arsenal around here!”

The idea had first occurred to Chapman when he visited the newly-relegated Arsenal in 1913 as manager of Leeds City. It took months of lobbying and the change meant that thousands of tickets, maps and signs had to be replaced. Even machinery had to be re-configured.

Eventually, on November 5, 1932, Arsenal made its debut on the London Underground.

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10. Arsenal win the Fairs Cup in 1970



Arsenal beat Anderlecht to win the Fairs Cup 28 April 1970

After 17 years without a trophy, the glory days returned to Highbury with a dramatic victory in the 1970 Fairs Cup Final.

Bertie Mee's side looked down and out against Anderlecht after slumping to a three-goal deficit in the first leg in Belgium, but a late header from Ray Kennedy gave them a glimmer of hope.

Frank McLintock's post-match rallying call lifted Arsenal's spirits and they were an irresistible force when Anderlecht travelled to Highbury for the second leg six days later.

Eddie Kelly's early goal was the perfect tonic and Mee's men piled on the pressure. They got their reward when John Radford levelled it up on aggregate with a second-half header.

Arsenal had the edge courtesy of Kennedy's away goal but Mulder hit the post to remind the Gunners they still had work to do. Then Jon Sammels made it 3-0 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate; Anderlecht were unable to respond.

The final whistle was the cue for Arsenal's fans to surge onto the pitch and celebrate with their heroes. McLintock, after picking up four losers' medals, finally had his hands on a trophy.

11. Final bow for United's Munich victims



Man Utd win their last game on English soil before the Munich air crash 1 February 1958

Manchester United's 5-4 victory at Highbury on Saturday, February 1, 1958 was memorable not only for the scoreline but also because it was the famous Busby Babes' last game on English soil before the Munich air disaster.

United came to Highbury with a team full of famous names, one of which, Duncan Edwards, opened the scoring with a thunderbolt

from the edge of the area. Bobby Charlton then beat Jack Kelsey to make it 2-0 on the half-hour. Tommy Taylor netted the third for the Red Devils and Busby's boys went in at the break with a seemingly unassailable lead.

Within 15 minutes of the restart Arsenal pulled one back through David Herd. Jimmy Bloomfield then slotted past Harry Gregg to make it 3-2, and with the ground in uproar Bloomfield dived to head a third for the home team.

In a thrilling finale Dennis Viollet finally restored United's lead before Taylor grabbed his second and United's fifth. Derek Tapscott typified Arsenal's fighting spirit with a fourth for the Gunners.

Within five days of this exhibition of English football five of that United starting line-up perished in the Munich tragedy.

Left-back and captain Roger Byrne, the entire half-back line of Eddie Colman, Mark Jones and Duncan Edwards, plus centre forward Tommy Taylor were all killed in the disaster.

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12. Arsène Wenger's first Highbury game



Arsène Wenger’s first home game 19 October 1996

Not a classic match by any means, but a significant day in Arsenal's history.

Arsène Wenger was officially in charge of the Gunners for the first time a week earlier when two clinical strikes from Ian Wright earned a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. But this was the first time he had met the Highbury crowd.

The Frenchman received a rapturous reception as he headed for the dugouts before the game against Coventry. However, Wenger could not inspire his players to a second successive victory despite a host of chances.

By now, Patrick Vieira was already a favourite with the Arsenal crowd. The midfielder started the game while another early Wenger signing, Remi Garde, was on the bench.

The new manager kept faith with the 3-5-2 formation favoured by his predecessor, Bruce Rioch. Wenger brought Dennis Bergkamp off the bench but even he was unable to engineer a breakthrough as the Sky Blues defended stoutly.

In fact, the most notable incident was an injury to Steve Ogrizovic. The Coventry goalkeeper was stretchered off four minutes from time after a collision with Wright.

Wenger did not have to wait long for his first win at Highbury. A week later, goals from Lee Dixon, Bergkamp and Wright saw Arsenal overcome Leeds, managed at the time by former Gunners boss George Graham.

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13. Bergkamp fires Gunners into Europe



Arsenal qualify for Europe on final day of season 5 May 1996

Bruce Rioch's tenure at Arsenal was short-lived but it ended on a high note on the final day of the 1995/96 season.

The Gunners had adopted a more attractive passing game under Rioch, who deployed Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn as wing-backs and brought in established internationals David Platt and Dennis Bergkamp.

Those signings both played their part in a thrilling finish to the campaign at Highbury. Mediocre away form had cost Arsenal any chance of the title but a victory against Bolton would see the Gunners pip Everton to a UEFA Cup place.

It looked to be a foregone conclusion. Bolton were rock bottom and relegated, while Arsenal had a potent strikeforce of Bergkamp and Ian Wright.

Things didn't go as planned. With 14 minutes remaining, Andy Todd gave Bolton a shock lead. Ironically, it seemed that Rioch's former club would deny his new side a place in Europe.

With the crowd getting restless and time running out, Arsenal poured forward. Platt slammed the ball through Keith Branagan's legs with eight minutes to go to level matters, but the Gunners needed another goal.

Step forward Bergkamp. Two minutes after Platt's strike, the Dutch master collected a short pass from the England midfielder before finding the top corner from 20 yards. Highbury erupted, and Bolton were finally beaten.

Rioch celebrated but he was gone by the start of the following campaign. As for Bergkamp, that goal was a sign of things to come. Two years later he was named Footballer of the Year after inspiring Arsenal to their second Double.

 

[xXx]

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14. Stadium hosts two broadcasting firsts



Highbury hosts a broadcasting first 22 January 1927

Highbury has played host of couple of significant firsts in broadcasting history.

The game on January 22, 1927 against Sheffield United was the first to be carried by BBC radio. Charlie Buchan’s strike was the first goal to be publicly broadcast. However Arsenal could not hang on to their lead and the visitors equalised to leave the final result 1-1 in front of a crowd of 16,831.

Ten years later sections of a game between Arsenal and their Reserves were televised. This was the first time a football game had been covered in this way.

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15. Highs and lows in European competition



Highs and lows in European competition 1963-2004

Highbury has witnessed some fantastic European nights down the years.

It was 42 years ago when the famous ground first staged a European match. Staevnet from Denmark were the visitors for the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup clash but Arsenal ended up on the losing side. The Gunners still progressed despite the 3-2 defeat having previously won the away leg 7-1.

It was only seven years later that the Gunners recorded their biggest ever home win any European competition.

Romania’s Dinamo Bacau were thrashed 7-1 by Bertie Mee’s side, again in the Fairs Cup. The Gunners were 2-0 up from the away leg and two apiece for Jon Sammels, John Radford and Charlie George, plus a solo effort from George Graham gave them a 9-1 aggregate win.

Since 1998 Arsenal have participated in the modernised Champions League. Their biggest win the new competition came on December 7, 2004. Jose Antonio Reyes, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Robert Pires and Robin van Persie all scored to give Arsenal a 5-1 win over Rosenborg.

European matches have not always ended in glory for Arsenal at Highbury. In 1982 the Gunners suffered their biggest-ever home defeat in European competition. Spartak Moscow came away 5-2 winners on the night in a UEFA Cup First Round clash and won the tie 8-4 on aggregate

16. Netbusting Gunners go goal crazy



Arsenal hit 15 in the highest scoring game at Highbury 8 February 1941

The highest number of goals ever scored in a match at Highbury is an incredible 17!

On February 8, 1941 Arsenal ran out 15-2 winners over Clapham Orient in the Qualifying Round of the War Cup.

Due to many players' involvement in the war effort, matches from this period are not recognised as competitive fixtures.

Arsenal’s highest tally in a competitive match came in an FA Cup Third-Round tie on January 9, 1932. A total of 12 goals were scored as the Gunners won 11-1 against Darwen.

Cliff Bastin scored four goals, David Jack got a hat-trick and Joe Hulme and Jack Lambert grabbed two goals apiece as the Lancashire outfit suffered a comprehensive beating.

Despite the scoreline, it wasn’t a bad day for the Combinations League Club. They managed to build an entire new stand from their £35,000 share of the gate receipts and Herbert Chapman’s side donated a full red playing strip to the club.

They still wear the colours to this day.

Highbury crowds witnessed 12 goals in a game on two occasions during the war years. In the first fixture after the outbreak of war, Charlton were beaten 8-4 on October 21, 1939. Luton Town suffered a 9-3 defeat on December 2, 1944.

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17. Arsène Wenger offers FA Cup rematch



Arsène Wenger offers an FA Cup rematch to Sheffield United 13 February 1999

The FA Cup often throws up weird and wonderful situations but in 1999 Highbury witnessed one of the strangest episodes in the competition's history.

Arsenal were drawn at home against Sheffield United in the Fifth Round and beat the Yorkshire team 2-1 thanks to goals from Patrick Vieira and Marc Overmars. However, the winning goal caused plenty of controversy.

The ball had been kicked into touch by a United player so one of his team-mates could receive treatment. But when Kanu received possession from the resulting throw, he broke away down the right and squared for Overmars to score.

The Blades were outraged and pointed the finger at Kanu but the Nigerian had simply misunderstood the situation, unaware that a United player had needed treatment. Nonetheless, the dispute was not going to be settled easily.

Arsène Wenger stepped in and, recognising the unique situation Arsenal found themselves in, he offered United manager Steve Bruce a chance to replay the match at Highbury.

Wenger's gracious offer was accepted and, with the FA's consent, the rematch took place 10 days later. Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp put Arsenal in charge and, although the Blades grabbed a late consolation, they suffered another 2-1 defeat.

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18. The bust of Herbert Chapman



The bronze bust of Herbert Chapman

One of Highbury’s most famous features is the bronze bust of Herbert Chapman. It is situated in the Marble Halls and is the first thing visitors see as they walk up the steps of the East Stand.

The bust was crafted by Sir Jacob Epstein and commissioned just before Chapman died in 1934. As a professional player, Chapman featured for Northampton (twice), Sheffield United, Notts County and Tottenham.

He became a manager at 29 and his first steps began at White Hart Lane. Lying in the bath after the final game of the 1906-07 season, team-mate Walter Bull said he’d just got the player-manager’s job at Northampton but suggested Chapman was a better candidate. He applied and a great career had begun.

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19. Wenger's men break unbeaten record



Arsenal set new unbeaten league record of 43 matches 25 August 2004

On the face of it, Arsenal's 3-0 win over Blackburn on August 25, 2004 is just another run-of-the-mill home win for the Gunners.

But this particular triumph was something special - it saw Arsenal eclipse Nottingham Forest's record of 42 league games without defeat.

Second half goals from Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Jose Antonio Reyes were enough to take the points on the night and ensure that Arsène Wenger's side cemented their place in history.

Arsenal exploded out of the blocks in the first five minutes, seeking that opening goal, but it didn’t materialise and Blackburn found their way back into the match.

Craig Short and Paul Dickov both went close and nearly threw a spanner in the works, but the sides went in at the break all square.

Five minutes into the second period, Henry fired in from close range. Eight minutes later Fabregas doubled the score and the excitement.

The young Spaniard secured a milestone of his own by finding the net - he became Arsenal's youngest ever goalscorer in league football.

There was more to come from the champions though and Reyes rounded off a memorable night off with the third goal to secure Arsenal’s place in the record books.

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20. Spurs beaten on their first visit



Arsenal and Tottenham meet for the first time at Highbury 22 January 1921

Arsenal’s first match against Tottenham at Highbury did not take place until January 22, 1921, despite Arsenal having moved to the ground eight years previously.

Arsenal won the match 3-2 with two goals from Rutherford and another from White.

The rivalry between Arsenal and Spurs dates back to the Gunners' early years at their North London home.

Understandably, Arsenal's decision to move from their Woolwich base into Spurs heartland sparked a natural rivalry, but other events reinforced this.

When the league was abandoned in 1915 due to the First World War, Arsenal had finished fifth in the old Second Division while Spurs had ended their campaign at the bottom of the old First Division.

After the war, there were plans to expand the First Division from 20 to 22 clubs. Normal procedure was to re-elect the teams which finished bottom the previous season and promote the top two clubs from the Second Division.

Despite finishing fifth in the Second Division, Arsenal owner Sir Henry Norris successfully negotiated a place back in the top flight at the expense of Spurs among other clubs.

Spurs didn't have to wait long to return to the First Division. They were promoted the following year and soon met Arsenal for the first time at Highbury

 

[xXx]

Another fine win

Sets everything up for the weeknd...

 

[logic_187]

oh yes come on the arsenal and the hammers roud: