History of Arsenal FC: The Gunners Through the Years

Arsenal started out as a works team of munitions workers in south-east London. They're now one of the most famous clubs in the world, and in 2025–26 they finally ended a 22-year wait for the league title. Here's the story: Woolwich, Highbury, Chapman, Wenger, the Invincibles and the Emirates. One thing first: we're a travel company, not part of the club. We just love a good football yarn.

Woolwich beginnings (1886–1913)

In 1886, workers at the Royal Arsenal, the armaments factory in Woolwich, formed a football team called Dial Square. They soon renamed it Royal Arsenal, and later Woolwich Arsenal. The "Gunners" nickname, and the cannon you'll see everywhere, come straight from those roots.

In 1893 the club became the first from the south of England to join the Football League. Woolwich was awkward to reach and crowds were small, though, and money was tight.

The move to Highbury

In 1913, under chairman Henry Norris, the club moved north of the river to a new ground at Highbury in Islington. It soon dropped "Woolwich" and became simply Arsenal. Tottenham, a few miles up the road, were not impressed. That move is where the North London Derby rivalry really begins. In 1919 Arsenal were elected to the expanded First Division, a decision still argued about in north London. They have stayed in the top flight ever since.

Herbert Chapman and the 1930s

Herbert Chapman arrived as manager in 1925 and changed football. He's credited with developing the "WM" formation, and he pushed ideas like floodlights, numbered shirts and better training. He even got the local Tube station renamed "Arsenal".

Arsenal won the FA Cup for the first time in 1930 and their first league title in 1931, then won again in 1933. Chapman died suddenly in January 1934, but the side he built completed a hat-trick of titles in 1933, 1934 and 1935. Highbury's Art Deco stands, built in the 1930s, became famous in their own right.

Doubles, Bertie Mee and George Graham

The 1971 Double

Under Bertie Mee, Arsenal won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970, their first European trophy. A year later they won the league and FA Cup Double. They clinched the title at White Hart Lane, of all places, which Arsenal fans still enjoy mentioning.

George Graham's Arsenal

George Graham's side won the league in 1989 with almost the last kick of the season. Michael Thomas scored a stoppage-time goal at Anfield for a 2-0 win, which won the title on goals scored. They won the league again in 1991 and a cup double in 1993, then the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994, beating Parma 1-0 in Copenhagen. Graham's teams were famous for their back four, and for winning 1-0 a lot.

The Wenger revolution (1996–2018)

Arsène Wenger arrived from Japan in 1996, and plenty of people asked "Arsène who?" He changed diets, training and recruitment, and his Arsenal teams played some of the most attractive football England had seen. Arsenal won the Double in 1997–98 and 2001–02, with Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Robert Pirès among the stars.

The Invincibles, 2003–04

Arsenal went the whole 2003–04 Premier League season unbeaten, with 26 wins and 12 draws. Henry was the league's top scorer. It's still the only unbeaten 38-game top-flight season, and the club marked it with a gold Premier League trophy.

In 2006 Arsenal reached their first Champions League final, losing 2-1 to Barcelona in Paris. Wenger also won a record number of FA Cups as a manager before leaving in 2018.

The Emirates and the modern Gunners

In 2006 Arsenal left Highbury for the Emirates Stadium, a short walk away. It holds over 60,000, and Highbury was turned into flats, with the old East Stand façade kept. Paying for the new stadium meant some lean years in the transfer market. Even so, FA Cup wins in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2020 took Arsenal to a record 14 FA Cups.

Mikel Arteta, a former Arsenal captain, became manager in 2019. After near-misses in 2022–23 and 2023–24, Arsenal won the 2025–26 Premier League with 85 points, their first league title in 22 years and the club's 14th top-flight championship. That same season they reached the Champions League final, losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

Legends worth knowing

• Cliff Bastin and Alex James — stars of Chapman's 1930s side.
• Tony Adams — 'Mr Arsenal', captain across the Graham and Wenger eras.
• Ian Wright — a goalscoring cult hero who broke the club scoring record in the 1990s.
• Dennis Bergkamp — the Dutch genius who changed what fans expected from a forward.
• Thierry Henry — Arsenal's all-time record goalscorer.
• Patrick Vieira — midfield captain of the Invincibles.

Arsenal timeline

Matchday in north London

Matchday around the Emirates is a proper day out. The walk from Arsenal, Highbury & Islington or Holloway Road stations is packed with red and white, and there are statues of Henry, Bergkamp, Adams and Chapman outside. Islington's pubs fill up hours before kick-off. If you're thinking of going with a group, our Arsenal trips page and Premier League weekends explain how we can help. Tickets depend on availability and are confirmed in your written quote first. There's no promise of a seat until it's in writing, sorry.

Fancy seeing it live? Tickets and packages are subject to availability and confirmation in your written quote. We don't arrange flights.