From munitions workers to unbeaten champions

Why a cannon?

Arsenal began life as Dial Square. The club was formed by workers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, which is why the crest has a cannon and the nickname is the Gunners. The club's origins are still right there in its name and symbols.

The rivalry with Tottenham runs deep in the fan culture. The day Tottenham can no longer catch Arsenal, even by winning every remaining game, is celebrated as an unofficial holiday: St Totteringham's Day.

From Anfield 1989 to the Wenger era

One of the most dramatic moments for Arsenal fans is the final game of the 1989 season at Anfield. Arsenal needed to win by two. Alan Smith scored first, and Michael Thomas made it 2–0 in stoppage time to win the league.

Arsène Wenger arrived in 1996. He stayed until 2018, a total of 22 years, and won the FA Cup seven times. The stars of this era include Dennis Bergkamp, who came from Inter in 1995 after a difficult spell, and Thierry Henry, who became the club's top scorer with 228 goals. In 2001, Tottenham captain Sol Campbell shocked everyone by joining on a free transfer. And in 2002, Wiltord's goal in a 1–0 win at Old Trafford sealed the title and completed the Double.

The Invincibles: 26 wins, 12 draws, 0 defeats

In 2003–04, Arsenal went all 38 games unbeaten, the only unbeaten title in Premier League history. They even clinched it at White Hart Lane, the home of rivals Tottenham, in a 2–2 draw. The Premier League marked the achievement with a special gold trophy, made separately from the regular one.

The unbeaten run lasted 49 games, from May 2003 to October 2004, and it was Manchester United who ended it.

The Emirates years and a title after 22 years

Arsenal left Highbury for the Emirates Stadium in 2006. Highbury's farewell was a 4–2 win over Wigan, with Henry scoring a hat-trick. The same year, in their first Champions League final, Lehmann was sent off early and 10-man Arsenal led through Campbell's header before losing 2–1 to Barcelona.

In the 2014 FA Cup final, Arsenal came back from 2–0 down against Hull, with Ramsey's extra-time goal ending a nine-year wait for a trophy. In 2020, Aubameyang's two goals beat Chelsea and gave Arteta his first trophy. And in the 2025 Champions League quarter-final, Rice scored two direct free kicks in a 3–0 win over Real Madrid.

The long wait ended in 2025–26. After a 2–1 win at Crystal Palace on the final day, captain Martin Ødegaard lifted the league trophy at Selhurst Park, Arsenal's first in 22 years.