Arsenal were founded in 1886 in Woolwich, a London district known for the Royal Arsenal, the Royal Artillery Regiment and several military hospitals.
The club originally took the name Royal Arsenal and played without a badge for the first two years. Their first crest, introduced in 1888, drew heavily from the coat of arms of the Borough of Woolwich, where the club remained based from 1886 to 1913.
Facing serious financial trouble, the club was rescued by businessman Henry Norris in 1910. Three years later, in 1913, Arsenal relocated to North London, making Highbury their new home. A year after the move, the club officially adopted the name Arsenal.
Arsenal’s first major rise came with the appointment of Herbert Chapman as manager in 1925. Chapman modernised the club from top to bottom, overhauling training methods and refining the traditional 2-3-5 formation. With smart signings and tactical innovation, Arsenal lifted their first major trophy in 1930, beating Huddersfield Town 2–0 in the FA Cup final. This sparked a golden era: during the 1930s, Arsenal won five league titles and another FA Cup.
After the Second World War, the club continued their success with league titles in 1948 and 1953 and an FA Cup in 1950. However, the following 17 years brought decline, as the team lost key players and fell into a period of mediocrity.
A new chapter began with the arrival of Arsène Wenger in 1996. The little-known French manager revolutionised the club with modern training methods, tactical evolution and the recruitment of talented French stars such as Robert Pirès, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry. Henry became the focal point of Arsenal’s attack, and between 1996 and 2004, the club won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups. The 2003–2004 season stands out above all, as Arsenal went unbeaten throughout the entire league campaign—earning the legendary nickname The Invincibles.
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