Arsenal - Franchise Snapshot - Woolwich Arsenal

Soccer Digest, Dec, 2002

* Founded in 1886 by a group of munitions workers--hence the nickname "Gunners"--at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory, the club was originally known as Dial Square. The name was eventually changed to Royal Arsenal, and in 1891, when the club turned professional, changed again, this time to Woolwich Arsenal. The club joined the Football League two years later.

* Arsenal's worst-ever result was an 8-0 loss to Loughborough, a club that now plays in the BUSA Midland League against such powerhouses as the West Midland Police and Bloxwich: Arsenal got revenge four years later, however, by defeating Longhborough, 12-0, to tie the record for the best result in club history. (Arsenal had also deteated Ashtord United, 1241, in 1893.)

* The Arsenal club was voted into the First Division after World War I and has remained in the England's top group ever since.

* To the dismay of new neighbors Tottenham, Arsenal moved from Woolwich in South London to Highbury in North London in 1913.

* The most famous goal in Arsenal history--and one of the most famous in the history of English soccer--is Charlie George's 1971 FA Cup winner. That extra-time goal capped a 2-1 comeback over Liverpool and clinched the club's first-ever double.

* Ian Wright is the club's all-time leading scorer with 184 goals, just in front of Cliff Bastin (182).

* Arsenal first enjoyed success in the 1930s when, led by Alex James, Ted Drake, and Bastin, they won five league championships and two FA Cups. The team didn't enjoy European success, however, until it reached the 1980 Cup Winner's Cup before losing to Valencia on penalty kicks. Arsenal also lost on penalties in the 2000 UEFA Cup finals, to Galatasaray. The team's only European medal was earned for a 1-0 win over Parma in the 1994 Cup Winner's Cup final.

* Through the late 1980s and 1990s, the team was strapped with the nickname "Boring, Boring Arsenal" because of its plodding, defense-first approach. When the linchpin of those teams, center back and longtime captain Tony Adams, retired prior to the current season, he was four game shy of the record for most Arsenal appearances held by David O'Leary (672).

* Current Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking to become the only Arsenal manager to lead the club to two consecutive English top division championships. In the 1930s, Arsenal enjoyed three consecutive rifles but two different men managed the team. Legendary manager Herbert Chapman--who had been the Arsenal boss since 1925--won the rifle in 1993, but died in early 1934, forcing team secretary George Allison to take charge.

* Boring no more: This year, Arsenal broke the 66-year-old record for the most consecutive English league games with at least one goal, previously held by Manchester City. The 2002 team also became only the second English team to go 30 or more consecutive mashes without a loss when it defeated Sunderland in early October. Over those 30 games--which stretched back to December 2001--Arsenal won 25 games and earned draws in their other five.