Arsenal Football Club are a team based in North London that play in the English Premier League. They have played their home games at the Emirates Stadium since 2006, moving from the Arsenal Stadium in Highbury where they had been based since 1913. They are also known by their nickname ‘The Gunners’. They are managed by Arsene Wenger, who is the club’s longest serving manager, and is the only manager they have had that was born outside of the United Kingdom.
Arsenal began life as Dial Square when the team was first formed in 1886. The team was formed by workers at Woolwich Arsenal, and in the coming years they were renamed first as Royal Arsenal, and then again to Woolwich Arsenal. The prefix Woolwich was dropped from their name in 1914. They have played in home colours of red and white throughout their history.
They are one of the most popular teams in the world, with one of the largest followings. In 2005, their global fanbase was estimated to be 27 million. Almost all of their home games are sell outs, with shortages of Arsenal tickets and they also have a loyal following when they play away from home. Their appeal has grown all over the world as TV deals have meant that Premier League matches are now shown all around the globe.
Since the Premier League was formed in 1992, Arsenal have been one of the most successful teams to compete in this division. They have won the title three times, and have had consistent finishes in the top six. They hold a record for being the only team to go through a whole Premier League season in 2003-04 without losing a single game. Their total unbeaten run lasted for 49 games, giving the team at this time the nickname ‘The Invincibles’. They were the first team from London to reach the final of the Champion’s League. Arsenal also hold the record for the team with the most FA Cup wins, with a total of twelve titles.
Away from football, Arsenal are actively involved in the community. The Arsenal Charitable Trust was set up in 1992 with the aim of raising money for projects that would support the local community. This trust had raised over £2 million by 2006 and this has been distributed to local sporting, educational and social inclusion projects. Arsenal are also actively involved with raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, a specialist children’s hospital in London.
