juventus fc

history of juventus1897: THE KICK-OFF
1897 : A bench in Re Umberto Avenue finds a group of young students from Liceo D'Azeglio in Turin in need of something to do. They decide to start a sports club with the aim of playing football, a sport started in Great Britain, but developing fast in Europe. So the story goes - Juventus F.C. was born in this way - just for fun.

This club, run by the first president Enrico Canfari, played against more experienced and organised teams in the city. However in 1905 Juventus won its first Italian title after a fascinating competition with two other teams - Genoa and Milan. Juventus F.C. chose their first home at D'Armi Square, which is still used today. For some years Juventus founders wore pink shirts - the same ones they wore when they started in1900. The change to the black and white colours was made in 1903 after a wrong shipment was sent from England where the new strip was to be made. Despite growing achievements, Juventus were in the shadow of stronger teams like Provercelli and Casale until the outbreak of the First World War. After the war they continued to rise, with goalkeeper Giacone and the full backs Novo and Bruno the first to play in the national team. The President was the poet and man of letters Corrado Corradini, who wrote the club anthem which remained until the sixties.


THE BIRTH OF THE GREAT JUVENTUS
In 1923 Giampiero Combi, one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world, made his debut. Edoardo Agnelli, son of the FIAT founder, was elected the new president of the club and due to the growing number of fans, Juventus took possession of a bigger stadium in Marsiglia Road. Jeno Karoly, the first real trainer, arrived at Juventus with the inside left Hirzer, both from Hungary, to supplement the talents of Combi, Rosetta, Munerati, Bigatto and Grabbi. In 1925-26, after a fascinating run-in, Juventus won their second championship.

THE FIRST SUCCESSES
In this glorious period Juventus won five consecutive championships.

Trainer Carlo Carcano was able to call upon great stars such as Orsi, Caligaris, Monti, Cesarini, Varglien, Bertolini, Ferrari and Borel. Not only did Juve triumph in five championships from 1930 to 1935, the Italian national side also won the World Cup in 1934.

During this period Juventus had their first experience in world football, participating in the Europe Cup (today's Champions League) where they reached the semi-final stage four times. In 1933 Juventus also changed its home: the town stadium was built for the World University Games and the team played there until 1900.

THE LEGENDARY PERIOD
In 1947 Giovanni Agnelli became the president of the Juventus F.C. The most notable players from this period were Carlo Parolo, plus the two Danes John Hansen and Proest. The hero of the team however, and the holder of the record for both appearances (664) and goals (177), was Giampiero Boniperti. Juventus won 2 championships in 1950 and 1952. By 1955 Umberto Agnelli had taken over the Presidency from his older brother Giovanni. Having added the services of Omar Sivori and John Charles, Juventus won championships in 1958,1960 and 1961. For the first time an Italian Club became entitled to wear the star after winning 10 national championships.


FIFTEEN YEARS OF SUCCESSES
1967 was another successful Championship year for Juve under the Presidency of Vittore Catella. A long successful period started with Giampiero Boniperti as president in 1971. During the fifteen years from 1972 to 1986 Juventus won nine championships and all European and intercontinental Cups. Wycpalek, Parola and Giampiero Boniperti were the trainers, while on the pitch Juventus featured such greats as Zoff, Scirea, Tardelli, Cabrini, Causio, Rosa, Gentile, Furino, Anastasi and Roberto Bettega -todays vice-president. The Italians were complemented by superb foreigners like Michel Platini, who won 2 championships, 2 European Cups, one intercontinental Cup, 3 awards as the top goal-scorer and 3 Golden Balls in five years. In 1990 Juventus won the Uefa Cup and the Italian Cup (with today's president Vittorio Chiusano and Dino Zoff as trainer) and the Uefa Cup again in 1993.


THE MOST RECENT TRIUMPHS
In 1994 a new managerial group of A.Giraudo, Luciano Moggi and Roberto Bettega (nicknamed "the triad") took over at the head of Juventus FC. They employed trainer Marcello Lippi, who immediately guided the team to their first Championship in nine years. In 1994-95 the team won the Italian Cup but lost in the final of the Uefa Cup.

Juventus had won the Champions Cup only once before - on the tragic night at Heysel against Liverpool. The final match of the season in Rome saw Juventus take on Ajax for the title of European Champions. An exciting match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time. The successful penalty kicks from Peruzzi, Ferrara, Pessotto, Padovano and Jugovic sent all Juventus supporters into ecstasy. In the following year Juventus won the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo (Del Piero), the European Supercup against Paris Saint Germain and their 24th Scudetto. Sadly the Final of the Champions League was lost to Borussia Dortmund, but Lippi bounced back as the club won the Supercup and their 25th Championship.

List of Juventus F.C. players
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Below is a list of notable footballers who have played for Juventus Football Club. Generally, this means players that have played 100 or more official matches for the club. However, some club's players who have played fewer matches are also included [1]; this includes players from the Federal Championship era (1900-1929) when they played fewer matches in a season than the present day [2] and some players who fell just short of the 100 total but made significant contributions to the club (e.g. Cannavaro, Serena, Galderisi, Gori).

For a list of the Juventus players, major or minor, with a Wikipedia article, see Category:Juventus F.C. players. For individual records (appearances and goalscorers) and individual recognitions see the statistics and records related article. For the list of World, European and Olympic champions with the Italian national teams during them careers at Juventus F.C., see the Juventus F.C. & the Italian national team article. For the current squad and its notable players, see the main Juventus F.C. article.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 List of players
o 1.1 Club captains
o 1.2 List of Juventus' players to have won all three major UEFA club competitions
o 1.3 List of Juventus' players to have won all UEFA club competitions
* 2 See also
* 3 Footnotes and references
* 4 Bibliography
* 5 External links

[edit] List of players
Omar Sivori, John Charles and Giampiero Boniperti, the Magical Trio of the Juventus squad during the ending of 1950s and beginning of 1960s.
Michel Platini holding aloft the Ballon d'Or in 1985.

Players are listed in alphabetical order according to the date of their first-team official debut for the club. Appearances and goals are for first-team competitive matches only [3]. Substitute appearances included. Statistics correct as of 31 May 2009.
Name ↓ Nationality ↓ Position ↓ Juventus career ↓ Appearances ↓ Goals ↓
Alejnikov, SergeijSergeij Alejnikov Belarus MF 1989-1990 50 3
Allemandi, LuigiLuigi Allemandi Italy LB 1925-1927 37 0
Carvalho de Oliveira, AmauriAmauri Carvalho de Oliveira Brazil / Senegal MF 2008-present 44 14
Altafini, José JoãoJosé João Altafini Brazil / Italy CF 1972-1976 119 37
Anastasi, PietroPietro Anastasi Italy CF 1968-1976 303 131
Anzolin, RobertoRoberto Anzolin Italy GK 1961-1970 305 0
Baggio, RobertoRoberto Baggio Italy IF/W 1990-1995 200 115
Barale, OresteOreste Barale Italy IF 1925-1931 116 2
Barberis, AlbertoAlberto Barberis Italy RW 1900-1901
1905-1910
1911-1912 15 0
Bellini, SavinoSavino Bellini Italy IF 1937-1944 127 33
Benetti, RomeoRomeo Benetti Italy IF/SS 1968-1979 159 23
Bercellino, GiancarloGiancarlo Bercellino Iº Italy CD 1961-1969 202 14
Bertolini, LuigiLuigi Bertolini Italy MF 1930-1937 161 5
Bertuccelli, AlbertoAlberto Bertuccelli Italy RB 1949-1954 114 2
Bettega, RobertoRoberto Bettega Italy SS 1970-1983 481 178
Bigatto, CarloCarlo Bigatto Iº Italy MF 1913-1915
1920-1931 233 1
Birindelli, AlessandroAlessandro Birindelli Italy RB 1997-2008 305 7
Boniek, ZbigniewZbigniew Boniek Poland IF/SS 1982-1985 133 35
Bonini, MassimoMassimo Bonini San Marino MF 1981-1989 296 6
Boninsegna, RobertoRoberto Boninsegna Italy CF 1976-1979 94 35
Boniperti, GiampieroGiampiero Boniperti Italy CF/IF/W 1946-1961 462 182
Borel, FeliceFelice Borel IIº Italy CF 1932-1941
1942-1946 307 161
Brady, LiamLiam Brady Republic of Ireland IF/W 1980-1982 76 15
Brio, SergioSergio Brio Italy CD 1978-1990 378 24
Buffon, GianluigiGianluigi Buffon Italy GK 2001-present 309 0
Cabrini, AntonioAntonio Cabrini Italy LB/CD 1976-1989 440 53
Caligaris, UmbertoUmberto Caligaris Italy LB 1928-1935 198 0
Camoranesi, MauroMauro Camoranesi Argentina / Italy RW 2002-present 255 28
Cannavaro, FabioFabio Cannavaro Italy CD 2004-2006 95 7
Capello, FabioFabio Capello Italy CM 1970-1976 239 41
Carrera, MassimoMassimo Carrera Italy FB/CD 1991-1996 166 2
Casiraghi, PierluigiPierluigi Casiraghi Italy CF 1989-1993 147 36
Càstano, ErnestoErnesto Càstano Italy SW 1958-1970 335 2
Causio, FrancoFranco Causio Italy W 1967-1968
1970-1981 447 72
Cesarini, RenatoRenato Cesarini Argentina / Italy IF 1929-1935 147 53
Charles, JohnJohn Charles Wales CF 1957-1962 178 105
Chiellini, GiorgioGiorgio Chiellini Italy CD/LB 2005-present 126 12
Cinesinho, Cinesinho Brazil IF 1964-1968 119 10
Colombo, UmbertoUmberto Colombo Italy IF 1954-1961 193 23
Combi, GianpieroGianpiero Combi Italy GK 1921-1934 367 0
Conte, AntonioAntonio Conte Italy MF 1991-2004 419 44
Corradi, GiuseppeGiuseppe Corradi Italy RB 1951-1959 202 5
Cuccureddu, AntonelloAntonello Cuccureddu Italy FB/MF/LW 1969-1981 433 39
Davids, EdgarEdgar Davids Netherlands MF 1997-2004 235 10
De Agostini, LuigiLuigi De Agostini Italy FB/CD/MF 1987-1992 215 28
Del Piero, AlessandroAlessandro Del Piero Italy IF 1993-present 603 262
Del Sol, LuisLuis Del Sol Spain MF 1962-1970 294 29
Depetrini, TeobaldoTeobaldo Depetrini Italy MF 1933-1949 388 10
Deschamps, DidierDidier Deschamps France CM 1994-1999 178 4
Di Canio, PaoloPaolo Di Canio Italy CF 1990–1993 58 6
Di Livio, AngeloAngelo Di Livio Italy CM/W 1993-1999 269 6
Diment, JackJack Diment Scotland MF 1905-1909 11 0
Donna, DomenicoDomenico Donna Italy LW 1900-1901
1904-1908
1909-1910 17 4
Durante, DomenicoDomenico Durante Italy GK 1901-1911 21 0
Emerson, Emerson Brazil MF 2004-2006 91 6
Emoli, FlavioFlavio Emoli Italy MF 1955-1963 241 9
Favero, LucianoLuciano Favero Italy FB 1984-1989 201 2
Ferrara, CiroCiro Ferrara Italy RB/CD 1994-2005 358 20
Ferrari, GiovanniGiovanni Ferrari Italy IF 1930-1942 193 76
Ferrario, RinoRino Ferrario Italy CM/SW 1950-1955
1957-1959 153 6
Foni, AlfredoAlfredo Foni Italy RB 1934-1947 304 8
Furino, GiuseppeGiuseppe Furino Italy CM/W 1969-1984 528 19
Gabetto, GuglielmoGuglielmo Gabetto Italy SS 1934-1941 191 103
Galderisi, GiuseppeGiuseppe Galderisi Italy CF 1980-1983 32 7
Galìa, RobertoRoberto Galìa Italy CD/MF 1988-1994 225 11
Garzena, BrunoBruno Garzena Italy FB 1952-1953
1954-1960
1961-1962 185 0
Gentile, ClaudioClaudio Gentile Italy / Libya RB/CD 1973-1984 414 10
Giacone, GiovanniGiovanni Giacone Italy GK 1919-1921 31 0
Gori, AdolfoAdolfo Gori Italy MF 1963-1968 174 5
Gori, SergioSergio Gori Italy CF 1975-1977 45 9
Grabbi, GiuseppeGiuseppe Grabbi Italy W 1921-1927 86 14
Haller, HelmutHelmut Haller Germany IF 1968-1973 172 32
Hansen, John AngeloJohn Angelo Hansen Denmark IF 1948-1954 187 124
Hansen, Karl AageKarl Aage Hansen Denmark IF 1950-1953 86 37
Hirzer, FerencFerenc Hirzer Hungary IF 1925-1927 43 50
Ibrahimović, ZlatanZlatan Ibrahimović Sweden SS 2004-2006 92 26
Inzaghi, FilippoFilippo Inzaghi Italy CF 1997-2001 165 89
Iuliano, MarkMark Iuliano Italy CD 1996-2005 277 7
Jugović, VladimirVladimir Jugović Serbia MF 1995-1997 77 10
Júlio César da Silva, Júlio César da Silva Brazil SW 1990-1994 125 6
Kohler, JürgenJürgen Kohler Germany CD 1991-1995 145 13
Laudrup, MichaelMichael Laudrup Denmark IF/SS 1985-1989 151 35
Legrottaglie, NicolaNicola Legrottaglie Italy CD 2003-2005
2006-present 118 6
Leoncini, GianfrancoGianfranco Leoncini Italy FB/MF 1958-1970 379 25
Locatelli, UgoUgo Locatelli Italy MF 1941-1949 181 8
Lushta, RizaRiza Lushta Albania IF 1940-1944 95 56
Magni, PietroPietro Magni Italy FB 1942-1948 108 27
Manente, SergioSergio Manente Italy LB 1948-1955 231 15
Marchetti, GiampietroGiampietro Marchetti Italy FB/MF 1970-1974 167 7
Mari, GiacomoGiacomo Mari Italy FB/CM 1949-1953 133 9
Marocchi, GiancarloGiancarlo Marocchi Italy W/SS 1988-1996 319 25
Marchi, GuidoGuido Marchi II Italy RB/CM 1919-1923 42 2
Marocchino, DomenicoDomenico Marocchino Italy W/IF 1979-1983 137 12
Mattrel, CarloCarlo Mattrel Italy GK 1957-1965 114 0
Menichelli, GiampaoloGiampaolo Menichelli Italy W 1963-1969 195 59
Möller, AndreasAndreas Möller Germany CM/IF 1992-1994 78 30
Montero, PaoloPaolo Montero Uruguay CD/SW 1996-2005 278 6
Monti, LuisLuis Monti Argentina / Italy CM 1930-1939 263 21
Montico, AntonioAntonio Montico Italy MF 1953-1962 115 27
Morini, FrancescoFrancesco Morini Italy CD 1969-1979 372 0
Muccinelli, ErmesErmes Muccinelli Italy RW 1946-1955
1957-1959 244 69
Munerati, FedericoFederico Munerati Italy W 1922-1933 256 114
Nedvěd, PavelPavel Nedvěd Czech Republic LW/CM 2001-2009 327 65
Nicolè, BrunoBruno Nicolè Italy CF/RW 1957-1963 170 62
Orsi, RaimundoRaimundo Orsi Argentina / Italy LW 1929-1935 194 87
Parola, CarloCarlo Parola Italy FB 1939-1954 340 11
Peruzzi, AngeloAngelo Peruzzi Italy GK 1991-1999 301 0
Pessotto, GianlucaGianluca Pessotto Italy FB 1995-2006 366 3
Piccinini, AlbertoAlberto Piccinini Italy CM 1949-1953 104 2
Piola, SilvioSilvio Piola Italy CF 1946-1947 57 26
Platini, MichelMichel Platini France W/IF 1982-1987 224 104
Præst, Karl AageKarl Aage Præst Denmark W 1949-1956 232 51
Prandelli, Claudio CesareClaudio Cesare Prandelli Italy MF 1979-1985 138 3
Rampulla, MichelangeloMichelangelo Rampulla Italy GK 1992-2002 99 0
Rava, PietroPietro Rava Italy LB 1935-1950 330 15
Ravanelli, FabrizioFabrizio Ravanelli Italy SS 1992-1996 160 68
Rosetta, VirginioVirginio Rosetta Italy RB 1923-1936 365 16
Rossi, PaoloPaolo Rossi Italy CF 1973-1975
1981-1985 138 44
Barros, RuiRui Barros Portugal RW 1988-1990 95 19
Salvadore, SandroSandro Salvadore Italy SW 1962-1974 450 17
Sarti, BenitoBenito Sarti Italy FB 1958-1968 246 1
Schillaci, SalvatoreSalvatore Schillaci Italy CF 1989-1992 132 36
Scirea, GaetanoGaetano Scirea Italy SW 1974-1988 552 32
Sentimenti, LucidioLucidio Sentimenti IVº Italy GK 1942-1949 188 5 [4]
Sentimenti, VittorioVittorio Sentimenti IIIº Italy SS 1942-1949 218 69
Serena, AldoAldo Serena Italy SS 1985-1987 71 36
Sivori, OmarOmar Sivori Argentina / Italy IF 1957-1965 253 167
Sousa, PauloPaulo Sousa Portugal MF 1994-1996 79 2
Spinosi, LucianoLuciano Spinosi Italy FB/CD 1970-1978 241 4
Stacchini, GinoGino Stacchini Italy LW/SS 1955-1967 279 55
Tacchinardi, AlessioAlessio Tacchinardi Italy MF 1994-2005 404 14
Tacconi, StefanoStefano Tacconi Italy GK 1983-1992 337 0
Tardelli, MarcoMarco Tardelli Italy LB/MF 1975-1985 375 51
Thuram, LilianLilian Thuram France RB/CD/SW 2001-2006 204 1
Torricelli, MorenoMoreno Torricelli Italy FB/CD 1992-1998 230 3
Trézéguet, DavidDavid Trézéguet France / Argentina CF 2000-present 292 161
Tudor, IgorIgor Tudor Croatia CD 1998-2007 174 21
Varglien, GiovanniGiovanni Varglien IIº Italy FB/MF 1929-1947 410 43
Varglien, MarioMario Varglien Iº Italy MF 1928-1942 403 17
Vecchina, GiovanniGiovanni Vecchina Italy CF 1930-1933 75 33
Vialli, GianlucaGianluca Vialli Italy CF 1992-1996 145 53
Vieri, ChristianChristian Vieri Italy CF 1996-1997 37 14
Vieira, PatrickPatrick Vieira France / Senegal MF 2005-2006 42 5
Vignola, BeniaminoBeniamino Vignola Italy MF 1983-1985
1986-1988 128 18
Viola, GiovanniGiovanni Viola Italy GK 1945-1946
1949-1958 224 0
Viola, JózsefJózsef Viola Hungary FB/CM 1924-1927
1929-1930 76 4
Vojak, AntonioAntonio Vojak Iº Italy IF 1925-1929 105 47
Zambrotta, GianlucaGianluca Zambrotta Italy RW/FB 1999-2006 297 10
Zidane, ZinédineZinédine Zidane France CM 1996-2001 212 31
Zigoni, GianfrancoGianfranco Zigoni Italy IF 1961-1970 121 35
Zoff, DinoDino Zoff Italy GK 1972-1983 476 0

Key to positions:

GK - Goalkeeper SW - Sweeper CD - Central Defender RB - Right back LB - Left back FB - Fullback MF - Midfielder CM - Central Midfielder RW - Right winger LW - Left winger W - Winger IF - Inside Forward CF - Centre Forward SS - Deep-lying Forward

Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).

[edit] Club captains
Carlo Bigatto Iº, the first Juventus captain ever and winner of the Italian Serie A as footballer and manager with the Old Lady.

The role of captain in Italian football made its first appearance in early 1920s [5].
Footballer Position Period
Flag of Italy Carlo Bigatto Iº MF 1922-1929
Flag of Italy Virginio Rosetta RB 1929-1935
Flag of Argentina / Flag of Italy Luis Monti CM 1935-1938
Flag of Italy Mario Varglien Iº MF 1938-1942
Flag of Italy Pietro Rava FB 1942-1949
Flag of Italy Carlo Parola FB 1949-1954
Flag of Italy Giampiero Boniperti CF/IF/W 1954-1961
Flag of Argentina / Flag of Italy Omar Enrique Sivori IF 1961-1965
Flag of Italy Ernesto Càstano SW 1965-1970
Flag of Italy Sandro Salvadore SW 1970-1974
Flag of Italy Giuseppe Furino CM/W 1974-1984
Flag of Italy Gaetano Scirea SW 1984-1988
Flag of Italy Sergio Brio CD 1988-1990
Flag of Italy Stefano Tacconi GK 1990-1992
Flag of Italy Roberto Baggio IF/W 1992-1995
Flag of Italy Gianluca Vialli CF 1995-1996
Flag of Italy Antonio Conte MF 1996-2001
Flag of Italy Alessandro Del Piero IF 2001-present

[edit] List of Juventus' players to have won all three major UEFA club competitions
For the complete list of players to have won all three major UEFA club competitions, see UEFA competition records.

The table below show the Juventus players who have won all three major UEFA club competitions [6] (chronological order).
Team European Cup Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup [7]
Italy Gaetano Scirea 1985 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1977 - Juventus FC
Italy Antonio Cabrini 1985 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1977 - Juventus FC
Italy Marco Tardelli 1985 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1977 - Juventus FC
Italy Stefano Tacconi 1985 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1990 - Juventus FC
Italy Sergio Brio 1985 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1990 - Juventus FC

Source: Players regarding European Club Cups - Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation - www.rsssf.com.

[edit] List of Juventus' players to have won all UEFA club competitions
For the complete list of players to have won all UEFA club competitions, see UEFA competition records.

The table below show the Juventus players who have won all UEFA club competitions [6] (chronological order).
Team European Cup Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup [7] European Super Cup Intercontinental Cup
Italy Gaetano Scirea 1985 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1977 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1985 - Juventus FC
Italy Antonio Cabrini 1985 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1977 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1985 - Juventus FC
Italy Stefano Tacconi 1985 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1990 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1985 - Juventus FC
Italy Sergio Brio 1985 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1990 - Juventus FC 1984 - Juventus FC 1985 - Juventus FC

Source: Players regarding European Club Cups - Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation - www.rsssf.com.

[edit] See also

* Lega Calcio Serie A-winning players
* Juventus F.C. and the Italian national football team

[edit] Footnotes and references

1. ^ "Juventus FC players list: The Pioneers". myjuve.it. http://www.myjuve.it/players-juventus/pioneers_list.aspx.
2. ^ The Federal Championship format (1898-1929) was composed by local groups -similar as the FIFA World Cup - and play-offs between the clubs from the Northern Italy (principally Piedmont, Lombardy and Liguria) and, since 1913, between the clubs from the Southern Italy. Since 1930 the championship is composed by clubs competing at the top level altogether.
3. ^ Since 1915 to 1919 the Italian football championship has been interrupted as consequence of the First World War. The 1916 Federal Championship is not recognized by the Italian Football Federation (its statistics are not included in this article). Since 1943 to 1945 the Italian football championship has been interrupted as consequence of the Second World War. The 1944 War Championship wasn’t recognized by FIGC until 2002. In 1945-46 season the top level of Italian football has been composed for two groups with FIGC Serie A and B teams playing together. 1944 War Championship and Serie A 1945-46 season statistics are included in this article.
4. ^ Lucidio Sentimenti IVº has scored 5 goals in 188 matches with Juventus FC, 4 of these as striker during the 1944 War Championship. See also (Italian) "Statistic Area - All Juventus FC players: Lucidio Sentimenti IVº". www.juworld.net. http://www.juworld.net/giocatori-scheda.asp?idgiocatore=311. Retrieved on 2007-07-18.
5. ^ "Juventus Football Club: The History". Juventus FC Official Website. http://www.juventus.com/site/eng/CLUB_storia.asp.
6. ^ a b The Intertoto Cup, competition per clubs recognised by the main football organisation in Europe since 1995, is not included in this list.
7. ^ a b The European Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1958-1971) is not included in this list because is not recognized as official European competition by UEFA.
See "UEFA club competitions press kit (.PDF archive, page 23)". UEFA Official Website. http://www.uefa.com/printoutfiles/competitions/supercup/2006/e/e_84343_pk.pdf. Retrieved on 2006-08-25.
"History of the UEFA Cup". UEFA Official Website. http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/uefacup/History/index.html. Retrieved on 2004-05-01.

[edit] Bibliography

* (Italian) Barbero, Sergio (2001). I miti della Juventus: 50 campioni che hanno fatto sognare il popolo bianconero. Graphot Editrice. ISBN 88-86906-51-X.
* (Italian) Gandolfi, G. (1975). I trenta grandi della Juventus. MEB.
* (Italian) Giacone, Gianni (1993). Juve Azzurri - I bianconeri che hanno fatto grande la Nazionale. Hurrà Juventus - Fabbri Editori.
* (Italian) Hurrà Juventus Redaction (1997). 100 campioni x 100 anni. Hurrà Juventus - Rosabella Editore.

[edit]

real madrid fc

HISTORY:

Real Madrid Overview

Real Madrid is the club that has won the most European Cups, and one of the most winning football clubs in the entire world.

Real Madrid was founded in 1902, and it is the pride of all Los Madridistas. A Harvard University study on football determined that Madrid is also the most popular team in the world, with more than 228 million supporters. The second most popular team Manchester United with 116 millions fans.

Reaching that number of fans is not so easy, but with the world's best players, a history written with gold letters, and the compromise of the club with social causes, Real Madrid have proven they are a world class team without equal.

Real Madrid History

In 1902 a group of soccer fans officially founded the Madrid Football Club and created the first Directory Committee which Enrique Varela as president and Manuel Mendía as Vice president. They agreed on the team uniform imitating that of the Corinthians from London.

Three years later Madrid won its first Spanish Championship by beating Bilbao’s Athletic team by 1 to 0. The only goal was made by Prast who received a pass from Pedro Parages.

Later, in 1931 Real Madrid won the first League. Having included Ciriaco, Quincoces, Luis Regueiro, Hilario, Bestit, Olivares y Ateca to the team, they didn´t lose a match.

Then in 1943 the first big comeback took place. Madrid defeated Barcelona by 11 to 1 after having lost by 0 to 3 the previous match. Neither team will ever forget that match.

Only 4 years after this, in 1947, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was opened. International press said it was the best stadium in Europe. Barinaga was the first one to score in this stadium.

In 1954, 21 years later, Madrid wins the league again against Valencia. It was Alfredo Di Stefano´s first year in Spain and he was awarded top striker with 27 goals in the League. Merely two years after this, the first European Cup was achieved. 1957 was also a big year for Real Madrid. The conquered their second European Cup. The third one arrived in 1958 with goals scored by Di Stefano, Rial and Gento in Brussels against Milan. Two years passed and the fourth European Cup came along.

Not too far ahead the fifth European Cup was awarded to Real Madrid. But the main attraction was not it being the fifth, but the way it was obtained. An amazing Real Madrid beat Eintracht de Frankfurt by 7 to 3 in what is remembered as the best European final.

The moment when Real Madrid was really crowned the King of the world was when they won their first Intercontinental Cup against Peñarol from Montevideo. The first encounter in Montevideo ended in 0 to 0, but the next time they met was in Santiago Bernabéu with 120.000 fans to impress ad they did winning 5 to 1.

In 1961 Madrid achieved the highest records being the team with the most Leagues. Out of the 30 games that were played Madrid won 24 and got the Cup of the Spanish League.

Throughout the 80s, with Emilio Butrageño won 5 Leagues in a row which is something never done by any team.

Of course Real Madrid’s main opponent is FC Barcelona. In 1995 took place a match no Madrid fan will forget. Real Madrid scored 5 to 0 being led by Johan Cruyff. 3 of the 5 goals were marked by Ivan Zamorano.

The seventh UEFA EURO (European Cup) arrived in 1998 in Amsterdam with an only goal by Pedja Mijatovic against Juventus. Then the second Intercontinental Cup was brought to Madrid from Japan. The victory was due to two scores made by Roberto Carlos and Raul. The third one was gained with goals from Ronaldo and Guti against Olimpia de Asunción a few years later.

The year 2000 was a big year since FIFA named Real Madrid the best team of the XX century. The award was handed to Alfredo Di Stefano and Florentino Perez.

Later on the eighth European Cup was obtained by defeating Valencia in Paris. Later on, in 2002, the ninth one came along with goals from Zidane and Raul against the German club Bayer Leverkusen.

The last league played (2006/2007) was the 30th league for Real Madrid. This incredible event was celebrated with an honor to the history of the best club of the century.

Club Rivalries

The two main rivals are FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid. The rivalry with Barcelona is also influenced by political and cultural aspects. In spite of this, these are the two main teams in Spain which obviously creates natural competition. All this is magnified when a player decides to change sides by going from one team to the other. For example, in the 50s both clubs disputed over Alfredo Di Stefano who finally signed with Real Madrid. This was not the last chapter if this story given that in the year 2000 Luis Figo, Barcelona’s star player, was transferred to Real Madrid.

Atletico de Madrid is Real Madrid’s rival in their city. Their different positions reflect the society’s struggle between the working class and the middle class.

Stars of the Current Real Madrid Squad

Goalkeepers

• 1 Iker Casillas - best goalkeeper in the world. Champions Leagues, Leagues, Supercups and a lot of many trophies were won thanks to Iker´s hands, and he is only 26.
• 25 Jerzy Dudek
• 13 Jordi Codina

Defenders

• 2 Michel Salgado
• 3 Pepe
• 4 Sergio Ramos - The next captain? From Sevilla, Sergio was sold by his first club for 21 millions of Euros. The best buy of Real Madrid in the last five years.

Midfielders

• 6 Mahamadou Diarra
• 8 Fernando Gago
• 11 Arjen Robben - Dubbed as "the flying wing" Arjen Robben is Real Madrid's current superstar. His pace and dribbling skills are what makes him the most effective winger in La Liga.
• 14 Guti
• 19 Van Der Vaart
• 23 Sneijder
• 24 Drenthe

Strikers

• 7 Raúl - The Captain. All fans are devoted to him. His goals and strength has helped Real Madrid to reach the top of the world. He has scored 307 goals in the White Shirt tying Di Stefano's record and one goal away from becoming the club's all time top-goal-scorer.

• 17- Van Nistelrooy - is one of the best European strikers. Real Madrid bought him from Manchester United.

• 20 Gonzalo Higuain - Higuain dubbed as"EL Pipita" has become a hero at Real Madrid. His crucial goals against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid helped Real Madrid win their first title in four years. He is now the team's top-goal-scorer for the current season.

Club Legends

GASPAR RUBIO
From 1928 to 1932. Striker. 4 caps. He won 1 League and 1 Cup.

RICARDO ZAMORA
From 1930 to 1936. The best Spanish goalkeeper of the history. He won 2 Leagues and 2 Cups.

JACINTO QUINCOCES
From 1931 to 1942. The best WC Italy 1934 player. He won 2 Leagues and 2 Cups.

LUIS MOLOWNY
From 1946 to 1957. Midfielder. 7 caps. He won 3 leagues, 2 copas, 1 European cup.

RAYMOND KOPA
From 1956 to 1959. Striker. He was from France. He won 2 Leagues, 3 European cups and 1 Ballon d'Or.

HÉCTOR RIAL
From 1954 to 1961. Left Winger. 5 caps. He won 4 Leagues, 5 European cups, 1 Intercontinental cup, 1 Pequeña Copa del Mundo and 2 Latin Cups.

ALFREDO DI STEFANO
From 1953 to 1964. Striker. 31 caps. He won 8 leagues, 1 Spanish Cup, 5 European cups, 1 Intercontinental cup, 1 Pequeña Copa del Mundo, 2 Latin Cups, 5 times Pichichi, 2 Ballon D´or.

For a lot of people he was the best football player of all times. For others, he was just the best European player. Di Stéfano was the key to make the Real Madrid one of the biggest clubs in the world. Striker, winger, or midfielder, he was a star. Now he is President of Honor of the Club and an example for young talents.

JOSÉ EMILIO SANTAMARÍA
From 1957 to 1966. Defender. 16 caps. He won 6 leagues, 1 Spanish Cup, 4 European Cups, 1 intercontinental cup.

FERENC PUSKAS
From 1958 to 1967. Striker. 4 caps. He won 5 leagues, 1 Spanish Cup, 3 European Cups, 1 intercontinental cup.

FRANCISCO GENTO
From 1953 to 1972. Striker. 43 caps. He won 12 leagues, 2 Spanish Cups, 6 European Cup, 1 intercontinental cup.

AMANCIO AMARO
From 1962 to 1976. Striker. 42 caps. He won 9 leagues, 3 Spanish Cups, 1 European Cup.

JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ "PIRRI
From 1964 to 1980. Midfielder. 41 caps. He won 10 leagues, 4 Spanish cups, 1 European Cup.

MARIANO GARCÍA REMON
From 1971 to 1984. Goalkeeper. 2 caps. He won 6 leagues and 4 Spanish Cup.

JUAN GÓMEZ "JUANITO
From 1977 to 1987. Striker. 34 caps. He won 4 leagues, 2 Spanish Cups, 2 UEFA Cups and 1 Pichichi.

JOSÉ A. CAMACHO
From 1973 to 1989. Defender. 81 caps. He won 9 leagues, 5 Spanish Cups, 2 UEFA cups, 1 League Cup.

HUGO SÁNCHEZ
From 1985 to 1992. Striker. 76 caps with Mexico. He won 5 leagues, 1 Spanish Cup, 1 UEFA Cup, 2 Supercups, 5 Pichichis and the Golden Foot.

EMILIO BUTRAGUEÑO
From 1984 to 1995. Striker. 69 caps. He won 6 leagues, 2 Spanish Cups, 2 UEFA Cups, 3 Supercups.

FRANCISCO BUYO
From 1986 to 1995. Goalkeeper. 6 caps. He won 6 leagues, 2 Spanish Cups, 3 Supercups.

FERNANDO HIERRO
From 1989 to 2003. Defender. 89 caps. He won 6 Leagues, 1 Copa del Rey, 5 Supercups, 3 Champions Leagues, 2 Intercontinental cups.

LUIS FIGO
Luis Figo was with Madrid from 2000 to 2005. Right Winger. 65 caps with Portugal. He won 2 Leagues, 1 Champions League, 1 European Supercup, 1 intercontinental Cup. Ballon D´Or 2000

ZINEDINE ZIDANE
From 2001 to 2006. Midfielder. 75 caps with France. He won 1 League, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 Champions League, 1 Spanish Supercup and 1 European Supercup.

RONALDO
Ronaldo was a striker from 2002 to 2007. He won 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 Spanish Supercup, 1 League and 1 Pichichi.

TOP 5 LEGENDS

• Di Stéfano
• Puskas
• Gento
• Zamora
• Zidane

Most Club Appearances

Rank	Player	Career Dates	# Appearances
	Sanchís		712
	Santillana		643
	Raúl		605
	Gento		605
	Hierro		598
	Camacho		577

Most Goals

Top European Scorers

Rank	Player	Career Dates	# Goals
	Raúl		56
	Di Stefano		49
	Santillana		47
	Puskas		35
	Gento		31
	Butragueño		27
	Pirri		23
	Hugo Sánchez		23
	Amancio		22
	Míchel		20
	Morientes		19

Top League Scorers

Rank	Player	Career Dates	# Goals
	Di Stefano		216
	Raúl		187
	Santillana		186
	Hugo Sánchez		164
	Puskas		156
	Gento		126
	Butragueño		123
	Pirri		123
	Amancio		119
	Pahiño		108

Player Recognition & Awards

Ballon d'Or

• Alfredo Di Stéfano 1957, 1959
• Raymond Kopa 1958
• Luís Figo 2000
• Michael Owen 2001
• Ronaldo 2002
• Fabio Cannavaro 2006

Silver

• Raymond Kopa 1959
• Ferenc Puskás 1960
• Predrag Mijatović 1997
• Davor Šuker 1998
• Raúl 2001
• Roberto Carlos 2002

Bronze

• Raymond Kopa 1956, 1957
• Amancio 1964
• Emilio Butragueño 1986, 1987

FIFA World Player

• Luís Figo 2001
• Ronaldo 2002
• Zinedine Zidane 2003
• Fabio Cannavaro 2006

Golden Boot

• Hugo Sánchez 1990 (38 goles)

Pichichis

• Manuel Olivares: 16 (1932-33)
• Pahiño: 28 (1951-52)
• Alfredo Di Stéfano: 27 (1953-54), 24 (1955-56), 31 (1956-57), 19 (1957-58) and 23 (1958-59)
• Ferenc Puskás: 26 (1959-60), 27 (1960-61), 26 (1962-63) and 20 (1963-64)
• Amancio: 14 (1968-69) and 16 (1969-70)
• Juanito: 17 (1983-84)
• Hugo Sánchez: 22 (1985-86), 34 (1986-87), 29 (1987-88) and 38 (1989-90)
• Emilio Butragueño: 19 (1990-91)
• Iván Zamorano: 28 (1994-95)
• Raúl: 25 (1998-99) y 24 (2000-01)
• Ronaldo: 24 (2003-2004)
• Ruud Van Nistelrooy: 25 (2006-2007)

Zamoras

• Ricardo Zamora 1931-32, 1932-33
• José Bañón 1945-46
• José Adelarpe Alonso 1954-55
• Vicente Train 1960-61, 62-63, 63-64
• Araquistain 1961-62
• Betancort 1964-65, 66-67
• Junquera 1967-68
• Miguel Ángel 1975-76
• Agustín 1982-83
• Francisco Buyo 1987-88, 91-92

Onze de Oro

• Zinedine Zidane 2001
• Ronaldo 2002

World Soccer

• Luís Figo 2001
• Ronaldo 2002
• Zinedine Zidane 2003
• Fabio Cannavaro 2006

Trofeo Bravo

• Emilio Butragueño 1985, 1986
• Iker Casillas 2000

Real Madrid Team Honours

• 30 "Ligas": 1931-32, 32-33, 53-54, 54-55, 56-57, 57-58, 60-61, 61-62, 62-63, 63-64, 64-65, 66-67, 67-68, 68-69, 71-72, 74-75, 75-76, 77-78, 78-79, 79-80, 85-86, 86-87, 87-88, 88-89, 89-90, 94-95, 96-97, 2000-01, 2002-03 2006-07
• 17 Copa del Rey: 1904-05, 05-06, 06-07, 07-08, 16-17, 33-34, 35-36, 45-46, 46-47, 61-62, 69-70, 73-74, 74-75, 79-80, 81-82, 88-89 y 92-93
• 7 Spanish Supercup: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2003
• 2 Latin Cup: 1955 and 1957
• 9 European Cup (Euro): 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002
• 3 Intercontinental Cup: 1960, 1998 and 2002
• 2 UEFA Cup: 1985 and 1986
• 1 European Supercup: 2002
• 2 Pequeñas Copa del Mundo: 1952, 1956
• 1 Copa de la Liga: 1985
• 12 Regional Championship between 1904 and 1929: 1903-04, 1904-05, 1905-06, 1906-07, 1907-08, 1912-13, 1921-22, 1922-23, 1923-24, 1925-26, 1926-27, 1928-29
• 14 Santiago Bernabéu Trophy: 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2007
• 8 Trofeos Teresa Herrera: 1949, 1953, 1966, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1994
• 6 Trofeos Ramón de Carranza: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1970 and 1982
• 4 Trofeos Ciudad de La Línea: 1981, 1982, 1986 and 2000
• 4 Trofeos Ciutat de Palma: 1975, 1980, 1983 and 1990
• 3 Trofeos Ciudad de Barcelona: 1983, 1985 and 1988
• 3 Trofeos Euskadi Asegarce: 1994, 1995 and 1996
• 3 Trofeos Colombino: 1970, 1984 and 1989
• 3 Trofeos Festa d'Elx: 1984, 1985 and 1999
• 2 Trofeos Ciudad de Vigo: 1981 and 1982
• 2 Trofeos Naranja: 1990 and 2003

Real Madrid's UEFA Matches Records

• Biggest win

9-0: Real Madrid CF v Odense BK 25.10.1961, European Champion Clubs' Cup first round second leg

• Biggest home win

9-0: Real Madrid CF v Odense BK (see above for details)

• Biggest away win

0-8: Olympiakos Nicosia FC v Real Madrid CF 24.09.1969, European Champion Clubs' Cup first round first leg

"bold"UEFA Champions League (group stage to final only) "bold"

• Biggest win

6-0: Real Madrid CF v KRC Genk 25.09.2002, UEFA Champions League first group stage

• Biggest home win

6-0: Real Madrid CF v KRC Genk (see above for details)

• Biggest away win

1-5: SK Sturm Graz v Real Madrid CF 05.11.1998, UEFA Champions League group stage

Historic Goals

• 1st goal: Artur Jhonson (05/13/1902), Madrid 1 - Barcelona 3
• 1st League goal: Jaime Lazcano (02/10/1929), Real Madrid 5 - Europa 0
• Goal #1000: Manuel Fernández Pahiño (11/5/1950)
• Goal #2000: Francisco Gento (9/11/63)
• Goal #3000: Juan Gómez "Juanito" (1/20/82)
• Goal #4000: Iván Zamorano (12/22/94)
• Best score achieved: Real Madrid 11 - Elche 2 (1959-60)
• Worst score achieved: Espanyol 8 - Real Madrid 1 (1929-30)
• Best position: First (30 times)
• Worst position: 10th (1947-48)
• Most amount of undefeated home games: 121

Club Management

Real Madrid is one of the few clubs in Spain in which the members are its owners. Real Madrid fans and players think highly of this and wouldn’t accept any offer on selling the club.

Vicente Boluda is the temporary president until elections are due. He was appointed this position, after Ramon Calderon stepped down as he rigged the club's General Assembly voting.

Real Madrid's ex-president, Florentino Pérez, is reportedly intending to nominate himself for the position. He has lined up Ribery and Benzema as players he will sign if he gets elected.

Staff

• Coach: Juande Ramos
• Second Coach: Manuel Ruiz

Uniforms

The Real Madrid uniform has been white since the beginning. In the earlier years some modification were made regarding their shorts and socks. But after losing many games to Barcelona, the blame was put on these changes, and the all white uniform was established.

No big changes to the soccer kits were made up to 1980 the year which Real Madrid signed a contract with Adidas, and the three stripes first appeared on the sides of the shirt sleeves. In 1982 the first sponsorship arrived, implanting a brand on players' chests. It was Zanussi.

The last change was recently made in 2006/2007, when the uniform added the FIFA Best Twentieth Century Team badge.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

After the foundation and playing in small fields, in 1912 Real Madrid built their first stadium called Campo de O’Donnel.

In 1921 the club moved to the field in Ciudad Lineal which had capacity for 8,000 fans. Then two years later in 1923, Real Madrid inaugurated a new stadium with capacity for 22,500 spectators against Newcastle United.

In 1943, with many achievements obtained and Santiago Bernabéu as President, they decided to build an even bigger stadium. Its big opening was the 14th of December, 1947 and it is now known as Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The first match that took place there was against Belenences and the final score was 3 to 1 for Real Madrid.

This stadium’s capacity changed along the years. In 1953 120,000 spectators could fit into it, but after UEFA regulation in 2003 the capacity was 80,400. UEFA considered it as one of the few 5 star stadiums in Europe.

The Santiago Bernabéu has hosted the 1957, 1969 and 1980 European Cup finals, the 1964 European Championship final, and the 1982 FIFA World Cup final. In 2006 Real Madrid inaugurated in its Ciudad Deportiva de Valdebebas the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium. Here is where Real Madrid Castilla plays its matches and its got a capacity for 6,000 fans.

Sponsors

• Bet and Win (BWIN)

Important Links

• Official team site: http://www.realmadrid.com
• Official league site: http://www.lfp.es
• Official ticket site: http://www.lacaixa.es
• City home page: http://www.esmadrid.com
• Real Madrid Talk

arsenal fc

History of Arsenal F.C. (1886–1966)

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For an account of the club's history since 1966, see History of Arsenal F.C. (1966–present).

The history of Arsenal Football Club between 1886 and 1966 covers their time from the club's foundation, through the first two major periods of success (the 1930s, and the late 1940s and early 1950s, respectively) and the club's subsequent decline to mid-table status in the 1960s.

Arsenal Football Club were founded in 1886 as a workers' team from Woolwich, South East London. They turned professional in 1891 and joined the Football League two years later. They were promoted to the First Division in 1904 but financial problems meant they were close to bankruptcy by 1910. They were bought out by Sir Henry Norris that year and to improve the club's financial standing, he moved the team to Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, North London in 1913. After World War I he arranged for the club's promotion back to the First Division, in controversial circumstances.

It was not until the appointment of Herbert Chapman that Arsenal had their first period of major success; Chapman modernised and reformed the club's practices and tactics, and under him and his successor George Allison (who took over after Chapman's death in 1934), Arsenal won five First Division titles and two FA Cups in the 1930s. After the Second World War, Tom Whittaker continued the success, leading the club to two First Division titles and an FA Cup. However after Whittaker's death Arsenal's fortunes gradually declined; by 1966, they were in mid-table obscurity and had not won a trophy in thirteen years. This led to the dismissal of Billy Wright as manager in 1966, and with it the appointment of Bertie Mee, who would go on to turn around the club's fortunes.

Contents [hide] 1 Early years (1886–1910) 2 Move to Highbury (1910–25) 3 The Chapman era (1925–34) 4 A hat-trick of League titles (1934–39) 5 The Second World War (1939–45) 6 The post-war years (1945–66) 7 See also 8 Notes and references 9 Further reading

[edit] Early years (1886–1910)

Royal Arsenal's squad of the 1888–89 season.

Arsenal were founded as Dial Square in 1886 by a group of workers employed by the Dial Square workshop at the Royal Arsenal, an armaments factory in Woolwich, south east London.^[1] They were led by a Scotsman, David Danskin, who purchased the club's first football, and Jack Humble; amongst their number was former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Fred Beardsley, who would later along with Morris Bates obtain a set of red kit from his old club, thus giving Arsenal the colours they still wear today.^[2]

Dial Square played their first match on 11 December 1886 against Eastern Wanderers on an open field in the Isle of Dogs, which they won 6–0.^[3] The club were renamed Royal Arsenal soon after, reportedly on Christmas Day.^[2] Initially the club played on Plumstead Common, but soon sought alternative homes, firstly the Sportsman Ground in Plumstead before moving to the adjacent Manor Ground in 1888. Unhappy with the Manor Ground's poor facilities, the club moved to the nearby Invicta Ground in 1890, before returning to the Manor Ground three years later as the Invicta Ground's rent proved too expensive.^[4]

During this period, Royal Arsenal started to win local trophies, winning both the Kent Senior Cup and London Charity Cup in 1889–90 and the London Senior Cup in 1890–91; they also entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1889–90.^[5] However, the gulf between Arsenal and the professional sides from the North soon became apparent, and Arsenal faced the threat of their amateur players being lured away by the money professional sides could offer; after Derby County had played Arsenal in an FA Cup tie in 1891, they attempted to sign two of Arsenal's amateur players on professional contracts.^[4] Therefore the same year Royal Arsenal decided to turn professional, and at the same time they changed their name to Woolwich Arsenal.

Woolwich Arsenal's move to professionalism was frowned upon by many of the amateur Southern clubs, and they were banned from participating in local competitions by the London Football Association.^[6] With friendlies and the FA Cup the only matches available for Woolwich Arsenal, they attempted to set up a southern equivalent of the Football League, but the move failed;^[6] Woolwich Arsenal's future looked bleak until the Football League came to their rescue by inviting them to join in 1893. Arsenal were the first Southern club to enter the League, initially joining the Second Division; in response, some of the club's amateur players who rejected professionalism and wanted a workers' team to represent just the Royal Arsenal, broke away to form a short-lived alternative side, Royal Ordnance Factories.^[7]

Woolwich Arsenal (in dark shirts) playing Newcastle United (in striped shirts) in an FA Cup semi-final — the club's first ever — at the Victoria Ground, Stoke on 31 March 1906; Newcastle won 2–0.

Woolwich Arsenal played in the Second Division for eleven seasons, and generally occupied mid-table before the appointment of Harry Bradshaw as manager in 1899;^[8] Bradshaw and his star signings, including goalkeeper Jimmy Ashcroft (Arsenal's first England international) and captain Jimmy Jackson, won promotion to the First Division in 1903–04. However, Bradshaw moved on to Fulham in May 1904, before the Gunners had kicked a ball in the top flight. Despite some strong performances in the FA Cup — the club reached the semi-finals in both 1905–06 and 1906–07^[8] — Arsenal were never able to challenge for the League title, only twice finishing above tenth place in the First Division between 1904 and 1913.

The chief cause of this decline was the club's ongoing financial problems; despite the boom in football during the early 20th century, the club's geographic isolation, in the relatively underpopulated area of Plumstead (then on the outskirts of urban London), meant attendances and thus income were low.^[9] To stay afloat, Woolwich Arsenal were forced to sell their star players (including Ashcroft, as well as Tim Coleman and Bert Freeman), and slowly started to slip down the table, which compounded their financial situation as crowds fell. By the end of the decade the average attendance at Manor Ground was 11,000, a little over half of what it was in 1904.^[10] The club were close to bankruptcy, and in 1910 went into voluntary liquidation before being bought out by a consortium of businessmen; the largest shareholder amongst the new owners was property magnate Sir Henry Norris, who was also chairman of Fulham.^[11]

[edit] Move to Highbury (1910–25)

Norris was acutely aware of the problems associated with Woolwich Arsenal's location, and was desperate to improve the club's income. First, Norris tried to merge Woolwich Arsenal with his other club, Fulham. When that was blocked by the Football League, Norris abandoned the merger and looked to move the club elsewhere, eventually picking a site in Highbury, north London. Despite objections both from Woolwich-based fans and residents of Highbury,^[12] Norris tenaciously saw the move through. He reportedly spent £125,000^[13] (approximately £8.2m in 2005 prices^[14]) on building the new stadium, designed by Archibald Leitch, on a divinity college's playing fields. Woolwich Arsenal moved there in the 1913 close season, having finished bottom and relegated back to the Second Division in 1912–13.^[8] They dropped the "Woolwich" from their name in April 1914, and although they were officially plain "Arsenal", the press at the time often referred to them as "The Arsenal" at first.^[13]

The club controversially rejoined the First Division in 1919,^[15][16] despite only finishing sixth in 1914–15, the last season of competitive football before the First World War had intervened — although an error in the calculation of goal average meant Arsenal had actually finished fifth,^[17] an error which was corrected by the Football League in 1975.^[18] The First Division was being expanded from 20 teams to 22, and the two new entrants were elected at an AGM of the Football League. One of the extra places was given to Chelsea, who had finished 19th in the First Division and thus had been already relegated. The other spot could have gone to 20th-placed Tottenham Hotspur (also relegated), or to Barnsley or Wolves, who had finished third and fourth in the Second Division respectively.^[17]

Instead, the League decided instead to promote fifth-placed Arsenal, for reasons of history over merit; Norris argued that Arsenal be promoted for their "long service to league football", having been the first League club from the South.^[16] The League board agreed; they voted eighteen votes to eight to promote Arsenal ahead of their local rivals Tottenham Hotspur,^[15] which has fuelled the long-standing enmity between the two clubs. It has been alleged that this was due to backroom deals or even outright bribery by Sir Henry Norris,^[15] colluding with his friend John McKenna, chairman of Liverpool and the Football League, who recommended Arsenal's promotion to the AGM.^[15]

No conclusive proof of wrongdoing has ever come to light, though other aspects of Norris's financial dealings unrelated to the promotion controversy have fuelled speculation on the matter; Norris resigned as chairman and left the club in 1929, having been found guilty by the Football Association of financial irregularities; he was found to have misused his expenses account, and to have pocketed the proceeds of the sale of the Arsenal team bus.^[19] Regardless of the circumstances of their promotion in 1919, Arsenal have remained in the top division since then, and as a result hold the English record for the longest unbroken stretch of top-flight football.^[20]

Arsenal's squad for the 1920–21 season, the club's best under Leslie Knighton, finishing ninth in the First Division.

The move to Highbury brought about much larger crowds; the average attendance in Arsenal's first season at Highbury was 23,000 (compared to 11,000 at the Manor Ground) and rose further after promotion in 1919, finally warding off the spectre of financial ruin.^[21] However, Arsenal's return to the First Division was not immediately successful. Under Leslie Knighton, the club never finished better than ninth, and in 1923–24 came close to returning to the Second Division, finishing 19th and only a point clear of the relegation zone.^[22] Arsenal did no better the following season, finishing 20th (although paradoxically the club were a lot safer this time, being seven points clear of the relegation places), which was the last straw for Norris; he fired Knighton in May 1925,^[23] and appointed the Huddersfield Town manager, Herbert Chapman in his place.

[edit] The Chapman era (1925–34)

Herbert Chapman's achievements are commemorated by a bronze bust inside the marble hall of Arsenal Stadium.

Chapman reformed many of the club's practices, including modernising the training and physiotherapy regimes, adding numbers to the players' shirts in August 1928,^[24] and changing the team's colours, adding white sleeves to the red shirt in March 1933. Chapman also insisted on journalists dropping the definite article from the club's name, becoming just "Arsenal", and he successfully campaigned for the renaming of the local Tube station, Gillespie Road, to Arsenal.^[25] At the same time, Chapman had a large transfer budget by virtue of Arsenal's improved revenue from their new stadium and a change of heart from Henry Norris; previously a highly prudent chairman, Norris now dictated that there was to be heavy spending on new players.^[26]

Chapman's first signing was veteran Charlie Buchan from Sunderland; as well as his contributions on the pitch, Buchan would play an important part off it. After Arsenal were beaten 7–0 by Newcastle United in October 1925, Buchan suggested a change to the formation to adapt to a relaxation of the offside law, adjusting Arsenal's formation to the "WM", strengthening the defence by pushing the centre half back into defence and the full-backs out to the wings.^[27] Over time, Chapman developed the formation further, putting an emphasis on a pacy forward line, wingers cutting inside, and the role of a creative ball-playing midfielder.^[28]

Arsenal came second in Chapman's first season, their best ever finish at that time,^[29] but this proved to be a false dawn; for the next few seasons they stayed in mid-table as Chapman took his time to assemble his side, slotting new signings such as winger Joe Hulme, forward Jack Lambert and defenders Tom Parker and Herbie Roberts into his new formation. In 1926–27, Arsenal reached their first FA Cup final, only to lose 1–0 to Cardiff City, after Arsenal's goalkeeper Dan Lewis let a harmless-looking shot slip through his arms and into the net;^[30][31] it was the only occasion in history that the FA Cup has been won by a club from outside England.^[32]

Chapman was not deterred, and continued to build his side, signing future captain Eddie Hapgood, as well as three of the club's great attacking players, David Jack, Alex James and Cliff Bastin; it was especially Alex James, Arsenal's playmaker in midfield, supplying the forward line and wingers, who became celebrated as the engine of the team.^[33] Three years after their first Cup final, in 1929–30, Arsenal reached Wembley again, this time up against Chapman's old club Huddersfield Town. The match was notable for being "buzzed" by the enormous German airship Graf Zeppelin Arsenal were not distracted from their task; they won 2–0 with goals from James and Lambert to bring home the club's first major trophy.

This success was the first in a decade in which Arsenal were the dominant club in England. They won the First Division for the first time in 1930–31; Arsenal performed strongly in a free-scoring title race with Aston Villa, recording heavy wins of (including 7–1 v. Blackpool, 7–2 v. Leicester City, and 9–1 v Grimsby Town, which remains a club record for the top flight). Arsenal won the title with two games to spare, and finished the season having scored 127 league goals (another club record), though Aston Villa managed to score 128, which is still a record for the most goals in an English top flight season.

The "Over The Line Final" – Newcastle United's Jimmy Richardson crosses the ball back into the Arsenal penalty area, setting up Jack Allen to score; the ball however was fully over the goal-line at the time and thus out of play. Newcastle went on to win 2–1.

The following season, 1931–32, Arsenal reached the FA Cup final again, losing controversially to Newcastle United. Arsenal had led 1-0 with a Bob John goal, but Newcastle's equaliser came after a long ball had gone over the goal line, and out for a goal kick;^[34] Newcastle winger Jimmy Richardson nevertheless crossed the ball back into play and Jack Allen levelled the match for the Magpies; Allen scored again in the second half to win the match 2–1. Arsenal's pain was compounded by the fact that Everton had pipped them to the League title; a poor start to the 1931–32 campaign meant Arsenal played catch-up for most of the season, finishing two points adrift.^[35]

Arsenal bounced back the following season, winning their second League title. Arsenal had started the season weakly, but then went on a long winning run to catch up and then overtake fellow title challengers Aston Villa, whom they beat 5–0 at Highbury in April to clinch the title.^[36] By this time Chapman's first set of signings had started to show their age^[37] so with an eye to the future Chapman promoted George Male to the first team to replace Tom Parker, and signed Ray Bowden to take over from David Jack. The only blot on the club's record was an infamous loss to Walsall of the Third Division North in the FA Cup; five of the first team were out with injury or flu and had their place taken by reserves,^[38] but despite six first-team players Arsenal lost 2–0 in one of the greatest FA Cup upsets of all time.^[39] One of the stand-ins, Tommy Black, was particularly to blame (conceding a penalty for Walsall's second), and was sold by an enraged Chapman to Plymouth Argyle within a week of the result; another, striker Charlie Walsh, was transferred to Brentford a week later.^[40]

[edit] A hat-trick of League titles (1934–39)

Arsenal Stadium's East Stand, which was built in 1936

Arsenal had started the 1933–34 season solidly, but in January 1934 Herbert Chapman died suddenly from pneumonia. Despite this, under caretaker manager Joe Shaw Arsenal retained the title that season; Hulme and James were both out with injury for a large portion, and so Arsenal were not the attacking side they had been the previous season, scoring only 75 in the League, compared with 118 in 1932–33.^[29]

George Allison (who had formerly been a director of the club) took over the job of team manager in summer 1934 and soon signed new blood for the side, including wing halves Jack Crayston and Wilf Copping (whose signings had been initiated by Chapman), and striker Ted Drake.^[36] With these new signings, Allison oversaw the completion of a hat-trick of League titles in 1934–35, and Arsenal were back to their attacking best; Drake scored a club record 42 league goals that season and Arsenal racked up a series of heavily one-sided scorelines reminiscent of the 1930–31 season (including 7–0 v. Wolves, 8–1 v. Liverpool, and 8–0 twice, v. Leicester City and v. Middlesbrough).^[41] Such was Arsenal's strength that in November 1934, seven players that started for the England side that beat World Champions Italy 3–2 (in the so-called "Battle of Highbury") were on Arsenal's books, a record number of players from a single club, which still stands today.^[42]

Arsenal's ongoing success attracted larger and larger crowds. Arsenal's home, Highbury, was completely redeveloped, with Leitch's stands from 1913 demolished and replaced with modern Art Deco stands, parts of which remain to this day — the façade of the East Stand is now a Grade II listed building,^[43] and both façades have been retained as part of the modern-day redevelopment of Highbury into an apartment complex. Meanwhile, the North Bank and Clock End terraces had roofs installed. The new stadium saw its largest ever attendance, 73,295, on 9 March 1935 for a match against Sunderland.^[44]

Arsenal's dominance of the decade was sealed with a second FA Cup in 1935–36, winning 1–0 against Sheffield United with a goal from Drake. Arsenal faded in the League somewhat after the 1934–35 title, and were weakened by the retirement of Alex James and the club's inability to replace him, as well as long-term injuries to several other key players such as Herbie Roberts and Joe Hulme. Nevertheless, they won a fifth League title in 1937–38, pipping Wolves on the final day of the season, to cap off a highly successful decade.

[edit] The Second World War (1939–45)

Soon after the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, all first-class football in Britain was suspended, and the 1939–40 Football League season annulled. Highbury was requisitioned as an ARP station, with a barrage balloon operating behind the Clock End. During the Blitz, a bomb fell on the North Bank, destroying the roof and setting fire to the scrap that was being stored on the terrace. With Highbury closed, Arsenal instead played their home matches at White Hart Lane, home of their rivals Tottenham Hotspur.^[45] Wartime matches do not count in official statistics; competitions were played on a regional basis and teams often did not complete a full season; many footballers served in the armed forces as trainers or instructors and were away from their clubs for long periods of time, so they would often star as "guests" at other clubs. Arsenal won the Football League War Cup South in 1942–43 and the London or Southern league titles in 1939–40, 1941–42 and 1942–43.^[46] Participation in the London League led to their expulsion from the Football League in 1941 along with 14 other clubs; it was not until April 1942 when they were readmitted after expressing regret and paying a £10 fine.^[47]

In November 1945, with league competition still suspended, Arsenal were one of the teams that played a Dynamo Moscow side touring the UK. With many players still serving abroad in the armed forces, Arsenal were severely depleted and used six guest players, including Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen, which led Dynamo to declare they were playing an England XI,^[48] although three of the side were actually Welsh. In any case, Dynamo themselves had Vsevolod Bobrov on loan from CDKA Moscow.^[49] The match, at White Hart Lane, kicked off in thick fog and the slick and technically proficient Dynamo won 4–3, after Arsenal had led 3–1 at half-time.

Though the score is generally agreed upon, after that accounts of the match diverge; even the identity of the goalscorers is disputed.^[50] English reports alleged Dynamo fielded twelve players at one point, and tried to pressurise the referee into abandoning the match when they had been behind; in turn, the Soviets accused Arsenal of persistent foul play and even alleged George Allison had bet money on the result (a claim that was later retracted).^[51] The acrimony after the match was such that it inspired George Orwell to write his 1945 essay The Sporting Spirit, in which he famously opined on the nature of sport, namely that in his view "it is war minus the shooting".^[52] With the fog obscuring much of the action, not to mention the language barriers and the early-Cold War mutual suspicion between both sides, it is unlikely any reliable account of the match will ever emerge.

[edit] The post-war years (1945–66)

Arsenal adopted this red crest in 1949, which was a familiar sight until its replacement in 2002.

The war had claimed the lives of nine Arsenal first team players, the most of any top flight club,^[53] and the intervening time had cut short the careers of several others, including Bastin and Drake. Additionally, the debts from the construction of Highbury and the costs of repairing war damage were a heavy financial burden, and Arsenal struggled at first when competitive football resumed in 1946. They lost 6–1 on aggregate to West Ham United in the third round of the 1945–46 FA Cup, and upon the league's resumption in 1946–47 the club finished 13th, their worst in 17 years.^[29] George Allison decided to retire from football at the end of that season, and was replaced by his assistant Tom Whittaker, a long-time servant of the club who had been trainer under Chapman.

Whittaker enjoyed immediate success, winning the League title in 1947–48; led by captain Joe Mercer's strong defence and with goals from attacking front two of Reg Lewis and Ronnie Rooke, Arsenal were top of the table from October until the season's climax, winning by a seven point margin.^[54] However, given the age of the Arsenal side at the time (Rooke and Mercer were both over thirty, as were Denis and Leslie Compton), long-term success was not possible. In response, Whittaker had brought in younger players such as Doug Lishman, Alex Forbes and Cliff Holton.^[55] Although Arsenal were unable to sustain any challenges for the League title, with the new blood they won the FA Cup in 1949–50, with Reg Lewis scoring both goals in a 2–0 win over Liverpool.

The 1951–52 season saw the club nearly win the Double, but ultimately end up empty-handed; a series of injuries and a fixture pile-up at the end of the season saw Arsenal lose their last two matches, including the title decider against eventual champions Manchester United at Old Trafford on the last day of the season;^[56] after losing 6–1, the Gunners finished third, equal on points with Tottenham.^[57] A week later, Arsenal played Newcastle United in the 1952 FA Cup Final, with several recovering players rushed back into the first team; Walley Barnes was taken off injured with a twisted knee after 35 minutes (no substitutes were allowed then), and ten-man Arsenal suffered further injuries to Holton, Roper and Daniel, so that by the end of the match they had only seven fit players on the pitch;^[58] with the numerical advantage in their favour, Newcastle won 1–0 with a goal from George Robledo.

Despite the disappointment of the previous season, Arsenal won their seventh League title in 1952–53; in one of the closest title races ever, they beat Preston North End to the title on goal average after finishing level on points.^[59] The title looked to be Preston's after Arsenal lost to them 2–0 at Deepdale in the penultimate game of the season, but Arsenal came from behind to beat Burnley 3–2, to take the title on 0.099 of a goal.^[60] That proved to be Arsenal's last trophy for seventeen years, as Arsenal's fortunes began to wane, particularly after the unexpected death of Tom Whittaker in October 1956.

As the club's fortunes declined, they found themselves unable to attract many stars (Welsh international goalkeeper Jack Kelsey being a notable exception), while up and coming players such as David Herd left for more successful clubs. Jack Crayston and George Swindin, both former players, followed Whittaker but could not replicate his success. Apart from finishing third in 1958–59 and fifth in both 1955–56 and 1956–57, Arsenal usually finished in mid-table.^[29] Nor did the club have much luck in the FA Cup — after reaching the final in 1951–52, Arsenal would not get beyond the quarter-finals again until 1970–71.^[29] To make matters worse for the club, up the road their fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur won the Double in 1960–61.

In 1962, Arsenal made the bold but ultimately unsuccessful step of appointing former England and Wolves captain Billy Wright as manager, despite his lack of managerial experience and the fact he had no prior experience with the club. Like his two immediate predecessors, Wright was not very successful, although it was under his leadership that the club made their debut in European competition, in the 1963–64 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup after finishing seventh in 1962–63.^[29] In his final season, Arsenal finished 14th, their lowest position in 36 years, and recorded the lowest-ever attendance at Highbury — 4,554 in a match against Leeds United on 5 May 1966.^[44][61] The only Arsenal player to figure in England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning squad was George Eastham, who did not play at all during the tournament.^[62] Wright was dismissed by the Arsenal board in the summer of 1966,^[63] and was replaced by club physiotherapist Bertie Mee. Though the club's directors did not know it at the time, Mee would turn around the club and lead them to success both in Europe and at home within the next five years.

[edit] See also

• History of Arsenal F.C. (1966–present) for the club's history since 1966

[edit] Notes and references

1. ^ Another football team based at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich Union, had been founded in 1884, and some Dial Square players, including Fred Beardsley, had previously played for that side. However, club historians generally regard Dial Square as Arsenal's direct forerunners. Reference: Soar, Phil & Tyler, Martin (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. Hamlyn. pp. 21–22. ISBN 0-600-61344-5.
2. ^ ^{a b} Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 23.
3. ^ The number of goals Dial Square scored is disputed, though six is the officially recorded figure. Reference: Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 23.
4. ^ ^{a b} Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 25.
5. ^ "Royal Arsenal". Football Club History Database. http://www.fchd.info/ROYAL-AR.HTM. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
6. ^ ^{a b} Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 26.
7. ^ Roper, Alan (2004). The Real Arsenal Story: In the Days of Gog. Wherry. p. 106. ISBN 0-9546259-1-9.
8. ^ ^{a b c} "Woolwich Arsenal". Football Club History Database. http://www.fchd.info/WOOLWICA.HTM. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
9. ^ Spurling, Jon (2004). Rebels For The Cause: The Alternative History of Arsenal Football Club. Mainstream. pp. 28–29. ISBN 0-575-40015-3.
10. ^ "A Conservation Plan for Highbury Stadium, London" (PDF). Islington Council. p.13. http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/Environment/Pdf/highburyconservationplan_2005.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-06-07.
11. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 33.
12. ^ Spurling (2004). Rebels For The Cause. pp. 34–37.
13. ^ ^{a b} Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 34.
14. ^ According to the RPI Calculator at: "Five Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a UK Pound Amount". MeasuringWorth.com. http://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/ukcompare/. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
15. ^ ^{a b c d} Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 40.
16. ^ ^{a b} Spurling (2004). Rebels For The Cause. p. 40.
17. ^ ^{a b} "England 1914/15". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1914-15.html. Retrieved on 2005-05-03.
18. ^ Soar, Phil & Tyler, Martin (1986). Arsenal 1886-1986: The Official Centenary History of Arsenal Football Club. Guild Publishing. p. 42.
19. ^ Spurling (2004). Rebels For The Cause. pp. 46–48.
20. ^ "Did Bobby Moore win the US League with West Ham?". Guardian Unlimited. http://football.guardian.co.uk/news/theknowledge/0,,778382,00.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
21. ^ "A Conservation Plan for Highbury Stadium, London" (PDF). Islington Council. p.14. http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/Environment/Pdf/highburyconservationplan_2005.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-06-07.
22. ^ "England 1923/24". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1923-24.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
23. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 43.
24. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 18.
25. ^ "London Underground and Arsenal present The Final Salute to Highbury". Transport for London. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/3709.aspx. Retrieved on 2007-05-03.
26. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 45.
27. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. pp. 46–47.
28. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. pp. 16–17.
29. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Arsenal". Football Club History Database. http://www.fchd.info/ARSENAL.HTM. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
30. ^ "Classic Cup Finals: 1927". TheFA.com. http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/History/Postings/2003/11/47802.htm. Retrieved on 2007-05-03.
31. ^ "Wales On Air - The 1927 FA Cup". BBC Wales. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/walesonair/database/facup.shtml. Retrieved on 2007-05-03.
32. ^ "Cardiff's 1927 FA Cup Victory". BBC Wales. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/matchofthedaywales/features/history/ccfc1297.shtml. Retrieved on 2005-06-07.
33. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 66.
34. ^ "FA Cup Final 1932". FA Cup History (unofficial site). http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1932.htm. Retrieved on 2006-06-27.
35. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 57.
36. ^ ^{a b} Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 60.
37. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 59.
38. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 63.
39. ^ "Third Round upsets". TheFA.com. http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/01/FA_Cup_Third_Round_Shocks.htm. Retrieved on 2007-05-03.
40. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 64.
41. ^ "England 1934/35". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1934-35.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-03.
42. ^ Arsenal hold the record outright for an England starting lineup; with respect to players on the pitch at any one time, the record is shared with Manchester United; seven United players were on the pitch at the end of England's match against Albania on 28 March 2001, but two of them had come on as substitutes. Reference: "Most Players from a Single Club in an England Team". England Football Online. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamClubs/ClubsMostPlyrsMatch.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-03.
43. ^ "A Conservation Plan for Highbury Stadium, London" (PDF). Islington Council. p.4. http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/Environment/Pdf/highburyconservationplan_2005.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-06-07.
44. ^ ^{a b} "Club Records". Arsenal.com. http://www.arsenal.com/history/club-records. Retrieved on 2007-05-03.
45. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 87.
46. ^ "ArseWeb on... Wartime Arsenal". Arseweb. http://www.arseweb.com/history/wartime.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
47. ^ Rollin, Jack (2005). Soccer At War 1935-45. London: Headline. pp. 75–77. ISBN 0-7553-1431-X.
48. ^ Spurling (2004). Rebels For The Cause. p. 72.
49. ^ Spurling (2004). Rebels For The Cause. p. 77.
50. ^ For example, Cliff Bastin and Bernard Joy, who both played in the game, claimed Vasili Kartsev scored Dynamo's first goal, while the journalist Brian Glanville, a spectator that day, asserts it was Vsevolod Bobrov. Reference: Spurling (2004). Rebels For The Cause. p. 74.
51. ^ Spurling (2004). Rebels For The Cause. pp. 74–76.
52. ^ Orwell, George (14 December 1945), "The Sporting Spirit", Tribune, http://www.orwell.ru/library/articles/spirit/english/e_spirit
53. ^ Rippon, Anton (2007). Gas Masks for Goal Posts: Football in Britain During the Second World War. Sutton. pp. 153–6. ISBN 075094031X.
54. ^ "Season 1947–48". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1947-48.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
55. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. pp. 92–93.
56. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 98.
57. ^ "Season 1951–52". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1951-52.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
58. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 99.
59. ^ "Season 1952–53". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1952-53.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
60. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 100.
61. ^ In mitigation, that same night the 1966 European Cup Winners' Cup final between Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool was screened live on television, a comparatively rare and prestigious event for the time, while the Arsenal v. Leeds United match had no bearing on either team's fortunes, which partly accounts for the low attendance.
62. ^ "England in World Cup 1966: Squad Records". England Football Online. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/CmpWC/CmpWC1966Squad.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
63. ^ Soar & Tyler (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. p. 103.

[edit] Further reading

Websites

• "Club History". Arsenal.com. http://www.arsenal.com/history/club-history. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
• "History of Arsenal FC". Arsenal-Mania. http://arsenal-mania.com/articles/History-of-Arsenal/10/. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
• "The History of Arsenal Football Club". Arseweb. http://www.arseweb.com/history/history1.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.

• History of Arsenal F.C. (1966–present)

  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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  For an account of the club's history before 1966, see History of Arsenal F.C. (1886–1966).

  The history of Arsenal Football Club from 1966 to the present day covers the third, fourth and fifth periods of success in Arsenal's history, including three Doubles, a Cup Double and success in European football.

  Following Bertie Mee's appointment in 1966 they won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, their first European trophy, in 1969–70, and their first League and FA Cup double in 1970–71. However, the Double-winning side was soon broken up and the following decade was characterised by a series of near misses - Arsenal lost three FA Cup finals (1971–72, 1977–78 and 1979–80) and the 1979–80 Cup Winners' Cup final on penalties. The club's only success during this time was an FA Cup win in 1978–79 against Manchester United.

  After stagnation in the 1980s, the return of former player George Graham as manager in 1986 brought a third period of glory. Arsenal won the League Cup in 1986–87, two League title wins in 1988–89 and 1990–91, the FA Cup and League Cup double in 1992–93 and a second European trophy, the Cup Winners' Cup, in 1993–94. However, Graham's reputation was tarnished when it was revealed that he had taken kickbacks for signing certain players and he was sacked in 1995.

  Arsenal fifth period of success came with the appointment of Arsène Wenger in 1996. Under him, Arsenal won a second league and cup double in 1997–98 and then a third in 2001–02. In addition, the club were victorious in the 2002–03 and 2004–05 FA Cups, and won the Premier League in 2003–04 without losing a single match. In 2005–06 became the first London club to reach the UEFA Champions League Final, but were beaten 2–1 by FC Barcelona. During the following close season, they left their longstanding home of Highbury to the new Emirates Stadium nearby.

  Contents [hide] 1 The first Double (1966–76) 2 Four cup finals under Neill (1976–80) 3 Slight decline (1980–86) 4 The George Graham years (1986–95) 5 Bruce Rioch: The interregnum (1995–96) 6 Two more Doubles (1996–2003) 7 The "Invincibles" and a Champions League Final (2003–06) 8 Move to Emirates Stadium (2006–) 9 Footnotes 10 References 11 Further reading

  [edit] The first Double (1966–76)

  Following the dismissal of Billy Wright in the summer of 1966, Arsenal appointed physiotherapist Bertie Mee as his successor. The move that brought surprise to some, not least Mee himself, who requested that he be able to return to his old role as physio if being manager had not worked out after 12 months.^[1] With assistant Dave Sexton, Mee brought a more professional approach to the club and promoted talent from within; Arsenal's youth team had won the FA Youth Cup in 1966, and talented attacking players such as Charlie George, John Radford, Peter Simpson and Ray Kennedy graduated to the first team.

  Mee complemented this attacking ability with some more experienced heads; captain Frank McLintock at centre half marshalled a strong defence, while the hard-tackling Peter Storey filled the defensive midfield position. The team showed early signs of promise, reaching two successive League Cup finals, in 1968 and 1969. Both times the Gunners went home empty-handed. The first time Arsenal lost to Don Revie's Leeds United 1-0 in a dour match of few chances, Terry Cooper grabbing the only goal.

  The second League Cup loss was an infamous upset – Arsenal lost 3-1 to Third Division side Swindon Town. Eight of the team had been struck by flu that had led to the postponement of Arsenal's previous League fixture,^[2] and Arsenal had only reached extra time thanks to a late goalkeeping error that had allowed Bobby Gould to score. In extra time, Don Rogers scored twice as Arsenal searched for a winner. However, that season was not a total disaster for Arsenal; they had also finished fourth, which won them a place in Europe for the 1969-70 season.

  In turn, this led to the club collecting their first silverware in seventeen years and also their first European trophy, the 1969-70 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Arsenal beat Ajax 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, and then staged a famous comeback against Anderlecht in the final.^[3] Arsenal were 3-0 down after 74 minutes of the first leg at Stade Émile Versé, but Ray Kennedy got a late away goal to give the Gunners a glimmer of hope; in the second leg in front of a packed Highbury, inspired by captain Frank McLintock, Arsenal won 3-0 with goals from John Radford, Eddie Kelly and Jon Sammels, to win the tie 4-3 on aggregate.

  The same season, Arsenal had only finished 12th in the league, perhaps distracted by their European campaign, and did not look like league contenders. Yet the following season, 1970-71, Arsenal went on to become only the second club of the 20th century to win the FA Cup and League Double, the club's first. After a bright start Arsenal looked to be out of the title chase with a 5-0 loss to Stoke City in September. However, Arsenal recovered and put in a strong run (they did not lose again in the league until January), and as the season closed they became involved in a tight race with Leeds United.

  Arsenal were pushed all the way – after being defeated 1-0 by Leeds in April, they needed to beat or draw 0-0 with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on the last day of the season to take the title on goal average. An 87th-minute goal by Ray Kennedy gave Arsenal a 1-0 lead and despite Spurs' desperate attempts for an equaliser Arsenal hung on to win and take the title. In the meantime, Arsenal had also reached the FA Cup Final, following a titanic semi-final battle with Stoke which saw them come from 2-0 down to force a replay and eventual victory. In the Final, five days after the win at Tottenham, Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley; Arsenal went 1-0 down early in extra time, before Eddie Kelly's 101st-minute equaliser from close range.^[4] Ten minutes later, Charlie George scored the winner from the edge of the penalty area to win the game, and the Double, for Arsenal.

  The Double proved to a premature high point of a decade characterised by a string of near-misses. Despite signing World Cup winner Alan Ball for a club record £220,000 in the close season, Arsenal began 1971-72 badly, losing three matches in August,^[5] and were forced to play catch-up for the rest of the season, ultimately finishing fifth. Their debut in the European Cup started encouragingly, but they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by a Johann Cruyff-inspired Ajax, who went on to win the trophy as part of a hat-trick of European titles. Arsenal also reached the FA Cup Final for the second year in a row; in a repeat of the 1968 League Cup Final they lost 1-0 to Leeds United, in an ugly match of few real chances.^[6]

  Arsenal finished as First Division runners-up in 1972-73, but within a year the Double-winning side had been broken up, and Mee was unable to build a new team in its place. The club's form declined sharply, finishing 16th in 1974-75 and 17th in 1975-76, their lowest in more than forty years, which prompted Mee's resignation. Tottenham manager Terry Neill, a former Arsenal player, was appointed in his place, even though he had never got Spurs anywhere beyond mid-table, to become Arsenal's youngest-ever manager.

  [edit] Four cup finals under Neill (1976–80)

  Under Neill, Arsenal moved back into the top half of the table, inspired in part by the emergence of Irish superstar Liam Brady. Brady formed part of a large Irish contingent at Highbury, which included Pat Rice, Frank Stapleton, Pat Jennings and the young David O'Leary. Further to this were experienced signings such as Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Hudson, as well as the return of Don Howe, who had been part of the backroom staff when the Double was won, to the Arsenal coaching setup.

  Although they could not challenge the League dominance of Liverpool at the time, towards the end of the decade they proved their mettle in the FA Cup. Arsenal reached three finals in a row (1978, 1979, and 1980), but won only one, the 1979 final against Manchester United. Largely inspired by Brady, Arsenal went 2-0 up through Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton and looked to be coasting to victory; with five minutes to go, United scored twice in quick succession to level the match. Extra time loomed, but Alan Sunderland converted Graham Rix's cross in injury time to secure a famous 3-2 win.

  The next season, 1979-80, proved to be cruel as Arsenal played a record-breaking 70 matches and reached two cup finals, only to end the season empty-handed. Arsenal were favourites to beat Second Division West Ham United in the FA Cup final, but lost 1-0 to a Trevor Brooking header. Meanwhile, they had also reached the Cup Winners' Cup final against Valencia, after Paul Vaessen's goal had given them a famous victory over Juventus in the semi-finals; the final finished goalless and Arsenal lost on penalties, with Brady and Rix missing from the spot.

  [edit] Slight decline (1980–86)

  Liam Brady left Arsenal for Juventus in the summer of 1980, and the team entered another barren spell. They continued to finish in the top four at the start of the 1980s, but never really looked like winning the title, and they could not rediscover their FA Cup form either - aside from 1982-83 when Arsenal reached both cup semi-finals in only to be knocked out in both by Manchester United. Neill struggled to control his team at times; throughout his tenure, he had fallings-out with many of his players (including Hudson and Macdonald) and he was unable to contain the drinking culture within the squad.^[7] His signings to replace the departed Brady and Stapleton failed to make the same impact, and towards the end of Neill's reign the club suffered several embarrassing cup defeats; this included losing to part-timers K.F.C. Winterslag in the 1981-82 UEFA Cup and Third Division Walsall in the 1983-84 League Cup. Neill was sacked in December 1983, soon after the latter result.

  Don Howe, Neill's assistant, succeeded him but he could not get the side anywhere near a trophy either. Although Arsenal managed to finish sixth and seventh under him, they never seriously challenged for the title (although they did briefly top the league in October 1984) and were dumped out of the 1984-85 FA Cup by Third Division York City. The fans were getting increasingly disillusioned with the club's muddling performances and attendances started to dip beneath 20,000.^[8] In March 1986, after hearing the board had approached FC Barcelona coach Terry Venables as his replacement,^[9] Howe resigned. Steve Burtenshaw was briefly caretaker manager but the club decided to look to outside for Howe's long-term successor.

  [edit] The George Graham years (1986–95)

  

  

  Alan Smith attacking for Arsenal v. Sheffield Wednesday in a match at Highbury in 1992; Arsenal won 7-1

  In May 1986, Millwall manager George Graham, a former Arsenal player, was appointed as Howe's long-term replacement, and it was the beginning of a new era of success at Highbury. Graham gradually sold off most of the older players and replaced them with new signings and players promoted from the youth team, while imposing much stricter discipline than his predecessors, both in the dressing room and on the pitch. Arsenal's form immediately improved, so much so that the club were top of the League at Christmas 1986.

  Players like Kenny Sansom, Steve Williams, Tommy Caton, Charlie Nicholas and Gus Caesar were gradually discarded and a new-look Arsenal side featured players including Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould, David Rocastle, Alan Smith and Paul Merson.

  Though Arsenal finished fourth in Graham's first season in charge, Arsenal did win the League Cup, in a campaign marked by comebacks. Arsenal faced Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals; after losing 1-0 at Highbury in the first leg and conceding a second goal in the first half of the second leg at White Hart Lane, Arsenal scored twice through Viv Anderson and Niall Quinn to draw 2-2 on aggregate and force a replay;^[10] in the replay Spurs went 1-0 up, only for Arsenal to come back again with late goals from Ian Allinson and David Rocastle to win. The final against Liverpool was a repeat performance; after Arsenal had gone 1-0 down to an Ian Rush goal, two Charlie Nicholas goals brought Arsenal their first League Cup triumph and their first major trophy for eight years. However, UEFA voted to continue ban on English clubs in European competitions (that was imposed in the wake of the Heysel disaster in 1985) for a third season, and this meant that Arsenal were unable to compete in the 1987-88 UEFA Cup.

  While Arsenal lost the League Cup final the following year (a shock 3-2 defeat to Luton Town), their League form steadily improved. Graham's side featured tight defensive discipline, embodied by his young captain Tony Adams, who along with Lee Dixon, Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn, formed the basis of the club's defence for over a decade. However, contrary to popular belief, during this time Graham's Arsenal were not a purely defensive side; Graham also employed capable midfielders such as David Rocastle, Michael Thomas and Paul Merson, and striker Alan Smith, whose prolific goalscoring regularly brought him more than 20 goals in most of the eight seasons he spent at the club.

  At the end of Graham's third season (1988-89), the club won their first League title since 1971, in highly dramatic fashion. Having led the League since Christmas, Arsenal were overtaken by Liverpool after losing to Derby County and drawing at home to Wimbledon in May. Arsenal had seemingly thrown away the title, but the final game of the season, on 26 May, was against Liverpool at Anfield; Arsenal needed to win by two goals to take the title; Liverpool had already won the FA Cup and were favourites to complete the Double. Alan Smith scored for Arsenal early in the second half to make it 1-0, but as time ticked by Arsenal struggled to get a second, and with 90 minutes gone on the clock, Arsenal still needed another goal. With only seconds to go, a Smith flick-on found Michael Thomas surging through the Liverpool defence; the young midfielder calmly lifted the ball over Bruce Grobbelaar and into the net, and Arsenal were League Champions.

  Arsenal could not retain the title the following season; they finished fourth in 1989-90 and fell behind champions Liverpool, runners-up Aston Villa and third-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the title challenge. They also failed to make their mark in the cups, and the post-Heysel ban on English clubs in European competition was still in force at that time, so Arsenal were unable to represent England in the European Cup. The ban was lifted at the end of the season, though Liverpool (the team present at the Heysel disaster) had to serve an extra year.

  Graham sought to improve his side and signed goalkeeper David Seaman and Swedish winger Anders Limpar in the close season; both players proved vital as Arsenal retook the title in 1990-91, despite two major setbacks. Arsenal had two points deducted in October 1990 after ten of their players were involved in a brawl with Manchester United players in a match at Old Trafford, and captain Tony Adams was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for drink driving in December. These did not hinder Arsenal's progress; they lost only one league match all season and finished seven points clear. Arsenal also reached the FA Cup semi-finals, where they faced Tottenham Hotspur; Paul Gascoigne scored with a free kick from 30 yards after just five minutes and Tottenham ran home 3-1 winners, dashing hopes of a second Double.

  In September 1991, Arsenal paid a club record of £2.5million for Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright, who would go on to spend seven years at the club and become their all-time leading goalscorer in the process. The 1991-92 season saw the club's first entry in the European Cup for 20 years. The European venture went badly; Arsenal were knocked out by SL Benfica in the second round and failed to make the lucrative group stage. The season went from bad to worse when the Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup by lowly Wrexham, though Arsenal recovered to finish fourth in the League. The ban on English clubs in European competitions had been lifted two years earlier, but Arsenal missed out on a UEFA Cup place as English clubs were gradually being phased back into European competitions and at this stage only the second and third placed teams were qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

  The big news of the 1992 close season was the acquisition of Danish midfielder John Jensen, who had just won Euro 92 with Denmark, scoring a goal in their victory over Germany in the final. Jensen's arrival coincided with the departure of fellow midfielder David Rocastle to Leeds United - the defending league champions. Around this point, Graham altered his tactics; he became more defensive and turned out far less attack-minded sides, which depended mainly on goals from Wright rather than the whole team. Between 1986-87 and 1991-92 Arsenal averaged 66 League goals a season (scoring 81 in 1991-92), but between 1992-93 and 1994-95 only averaged 48;^[11] this included just 40 in 1992-93, when the club finished 10th in the inaugural season of the FA Premier League, scoring fewer than any other team in the division, though they had briefly topped the table in November.^[12]

  Arsenal's form in the cups was much better than in the league, and in 1992-93 they became the first side to win the FA Cup and League Cup double. In the League Cup final, Arsenal faced Sheffield Wednesday; a Merson-inspired Arsenal side came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 thanks to a Steve Morrow goal. In the FA Cup, Arsenal beat Spurs 1-0 in the semi-finals (avenging their defeat of 1991), and played Sheffield Wednesday in the final, just as they had done in the League Cup final a few weeks earlier. The game ended 1-1 and went to a replay; Wright opened the scoring for Arsenal but Chris Waddle equalised. Extra time came, and still no goal broke the deadlock until the 120th minute, when Andy Linighan powered home a header from a corner to win the match and the cup double for Arsenal.

  In 1993-94, Arsenal won their second European trophy; a side missing key players (John Jensen and Martin Keown were injured, while Ian Wright was suspended, beat favourites and holders Parma 1-0 in the Cup Winners' Cup final in Copenhagen, with a tight defensive performance and Alan Smith's 21st minute goal from a left foot volley. The 1994 Cup Winners Cup proved to be George Graham's last trophy at the club; the following February the Scot was sacked after nearly nine years in charge, after it was discovered he had accepted an illegal £425,000 payment from Norwegian agent Rune Hauge following Arsenal's 1992 acquisition of John Jensen, one of Hauge's clients.^[13]

  In the weeks before Graham was sacked, he made three major signings for Arsenal. Glenn Helder, a Dutch winger signed from Vitesse Arnhem, was a regular first team player for more than a year after joining the club but was then loaned to Benfica of Portugal before permanently departing in October 1997 to join NAC Breda back in his homeland. Chris Kiwomya, an attacking midfielder signed from Ipswich Town, scored three goals in 17 games before the end of the season but never played for the club again, finally departing in 1998 to sign for Queens Park Rangers. John Hartson, a 19-year-old Welsh striker, was signed from Luton Town and occupied the first team place vacated by the injury-hit Alan Smith, who retired from playing months later.

  [edit] Bruce Rioch: The interregnum (1995–96)

  Assistant manager Stewart Houston took charge until the end of the 1994-95 season. Arsenal finished 12th in the Premiership (their lowest ever-finish in the Premier League, as of 2008), but did reach the Cup Winners Cup final again, after a titanic semi-final against UC Sampdoria, which they won on penalties after drawing 5-5 on aggregate. Arsenal faced Real Zaragoza in the final; Esnáider scored for the Spaniards and John Hartson equalised for Arsenal. The game was heading to a 1-1 draw and penalties, before midfielder Nayim struck from 40 yards in the 120th minute, in virtually the last kick of the game. David Seaman, who had been Arsenal's hero in the semi-final shootout, couldn't backpedal fast enough and only got a hand to the ball as it went in.

  In June 1995 Arsenal appointed Bruce Rioch, who had just guided Bolton Wanderers to the League Cup final and promotion to the top flight, as manager. He (briefly) broke the English transfer record by paying Internazionale £7.5million for Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp, and the new signing formed an impressive partnership with Ian Wright. Arsenal reached the League Cup semi-finals and finished fifth in the Premiership at the end of 1995-96, securing a place in the following season's UEFA Cup and giving hope for an eventual title challenge. The Rioch era ended abruptly, however; in August 1996, just before the start of the new season, Rioch was sacked after a dispute over transfer funds with the board of directors, triggering a couple of months' turmoil at the club. Stewart Houston was once again put in temporary charge; he remained at the helm for a month, before resigning to take over at QPR. Youth team coach Pat Rice held the fort for several games, before making way for the Frenchman Arsène Wenger at the end of September.

  [edit] Two more Doubles (1996–2003)

  

  

  Arsenal's players and fans celebrate their 2004 Premier League win with an open-top bus parade.

  The team immediately improved under Wenger's management, coming third and winning a UEFA Cup place in 1996-97, missing out on second (and a Champions League spot) on goal difference. Wenger rebuilt the Arsenal squad with a crop of French players who were seemingly unknown in the UK. Patrick Vieira had been signed on Wenger's recommendation before he had officially taken up the reins, and Wenger added Nicolas Anelka and Emmanuel Petit, as well as Dutch winger Marc Overmars in the summer of 1997. Wenger melded the new arrivals with some of the "old guard", retaining Adams, Dixon, Winterburn, Keown and Bould, and he kept Pat Rice on as assistant manager.

  Wenger got his first silverware, and became the first foreign manager to win the English league, the following season, when he steered the side to their second double. It had looked like Arsenal were out of the title race by December after losing 3-1 at home to Blackburn, but they overcame a twelve point deficit to overtake Manchester United; a 4-0 home win over Everton on 3 May won the title with two matches to spare. On 16 May, Arsenal beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the FA Cup final to complete the double. To top it off, the same season Ian Wright broke Cliff Bastin's goalscoring record, bringing his tally to 185 goals before leaving the club in the summer of 1998.

  Despite the signing of Fredrik Ljungberg in 1998 and Thierry Henry a year later, a more barren period followed for Arsenal over the next few years, though they came close several times. Arsenal led the League for much of 1998-99, until a 1-0 loss to Leeds United allowed Manchester United to overtake them; Arsenal beat Aston Villa on the last day of the season but United's victory over Spurs meant they took the title. To rub it in further, Arsenal also lost the last ever FA Cup semi-final replay to Manchester United; Dennis Bergkamp had missed a penalty in normal time, and Ryan Giggs scored the winner in extra time after a mazy solo run through the Arsenal defence. Arsenal's return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years was also unsuccessful, as they failed to get past the group stage.

  Arsenal came second again in 1999-2000; this time, there was never any real title race and Arsenal finished the season 18 points behind winners Manchester United. Arsenal had another poor season in the Champions League, finishing third in their group; this won them a consolation place in the UEFA Cup, and Arsenal got all the way to the final, where they faced Galatasaray in Copenhagen, the scene of their 1994 Cup Winners' Cup triumph. The match was a tepid affair, a 0-0 draw with few chances; it went to penalties and Arsenal lost after Davor Šuker and Patrick Vieira missed their spot-kicks.

  Arsenal again finished second in 2000-01, this time ten points behind Manchester United; the title race had been as good as over since February, when Arsenal lost 6-1 at Old Trafford. Arsenal's season gave priority to the Cups and Europe. They beat Spurs in the semi-finals and met Liverpool in the final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; Arsenal dominated most of the match, and were denied a goal by the arm of defender Stephane Henchoz, which went unpunished.^[14] Arsenal finally did go 1-0 up through Ljungberg but succumbed to two late Michael Owen goals and lost 2-1. In Europe, Arsenal made it to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 1972, only to be eliminated on the away goals rule by eventual finalists Valencia.

  By now Wenger had been forced to rebuild much of the Double-winning side of 1998; Anelka, Overmars and Petit had all left for Spanish clubs in return for hefty fees, while age was finally catching up with the famous back line; Bould and Winterburn had already left, and Adams and Dixon would only last another season before retiring. In their place, Wenger signed the likes of Sol Campbell and Lauren in defence, as well as promoting Ashley Cole from the youth ranks. In midfield, Wenger added the talismanic Robert Pirès and signed his compatriot Sylvain Wiltord in attack, while in the meantime Thierry Henry had adapted to the English game to become one of the Premiership's best strikers.

  Attack was definitely Arsenal's forté as they won a record-equalling third Double in 2001-02 season; the Gunners were the only team to score in every game of the Premiership season, and went unbeaten in domestic away games. After an initially tight title race (just three points separated the top four in February), Arsenal pulled away from the pack with a 13-game winning streak, finishing seven points ahead of runners-up Liverpool. Arsenal secured the title in the penultimate game of the season with a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, the goal coming from Wiltord. The previous weekend, Arsenal had wrapped up their eighth FA Cup, beating Chelsea 2-0 with goals from Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg.

  In 2002-03, Arsenal became the first club in more than 20 years to retain the FA Cup, with a 1-0 victory against Southampton thanks to a Pirès goal. Their joy was soured by the fact that they narrowly missed out on retaining the Premiership title. Arsenal had led eventual winners Manchester United by eight points at one stage, but their form collapsed late on in the season; they drew 2-2 away to Bolton Wanderers after leading 2-0, and then lost 3-2 at home to Leeds United a week later, which gave United the title.

  [edit] The "Invincibles" and a Champions League Final (2003–06)

  

  

  Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira lifts the 2003-04 Premier League trophy.

  Little did they know it at the time, but the defeat to Leeds would be Arsenal's last in the League for over a year. 2003-04 was a record-breaking season for Arsenal, as they won the Premiership unbeaten (26 wins, 12 draws, 0 defeats), finishing a clear 11 points ahead of second-place Chelsea. They became only the second team to do so, the first having been Preston North End in 1888-89, though Preston had only played 22 games in their own unbeaten league season. Their rivals for the title gained revenge in other competitions – Arsenal were defeated in the Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semi-finals by Chelsea and Manchester United, respectively, in successive matches. Faced with the potential collapse of their season, Arsenal recovered from being 1-0 and 2-1 behind to Liverpool in their next league match to win 4-2, thanks to a Thierry Henry hat-trick, and went on to win the league with a 2-2 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur, mimicking their success in 1971.

  Arsenal were unable to retain the title in 2004-05, finishing second, 12 points behind a record-breaking Chelsea side. However, the Gunners did stretch their unbeaten run to 49 consecutive matches, an English league football record; the record was equalled with a dramatic 5-3 win over Middlesbrough (Arsenal having trailed 3-1 shortly after half-time) and then surpassed with a 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in August 2004, before it was ended with a 2-0 away defeat by Manchester United. This defeat arguably upset the team's form and they fell away from title contention before recovering with a late flourish to finish second, sealed with a 7-0 drubbing of Everton. Champions League glory eluded them again, with the club getting knocked out 3-2 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the second round. Arsenal did not end the season empty-handed; they came away with their third FA Cup in four years, winning 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw against Manchester United.

  Weakened by the sale of skipper Patrick Vieira to Juventus in the summer of 2005, Arsenal's 2005-06 season was comparatively disappointing domestically and the club failed to challenge for any trophies at home. In the league, their poor away form dogged them and despite recording some impressive wins at home (5-0 over Aston Villa, and 7-0 over Middlesbrough), Arsenal spent much of the latter stages of the season in fifth place or lower, and looked set to miss out on the Champions League for the first time since 1997. However, they won their last three matches of the season, culminating in a 4-2 victory over Wigan Athletic in the last ever match at Highbury; coupled with Tottenham Hotspur's loss at West Ham United the same day, this meant Arsenal pipped Spurs to fourth place and a Champions League spot.

  In contrast to their domestic form, Arsenal's form in Europe in 2005-06 was much stronger; they reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in their history, becoming the first London club ever to do so. Arsenal finished top of their group unbeaten, above Ajax Amsterdam, FC Thun and Sparta Prague against whom Thierry Henry scored two goals on away to become the all time record goalscorer for Arsenal; in the knockout stages they beat Real Madrid (becoming the first British team to beat Real at the Bernabéu), Juventus and then Villarreal to reach the final, setting a competition record of ten matches without conceding a goal in the process. In the final, against Barcelona, Arsenal were reduced to ten men early on when goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off for a professional foul; nevertheless they were the ones who scored first, Sol Campbell scoring with a header from a free kick in the 37th minute. Arsenal doggedly defended their lead, but two late goals from Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti meant Barcelona ran out 2-1 winners.

  [edit] Move to Emirates Stadium (2006–)

  

  

  The Emirates Stadium on the day of Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial, the first match to be played there.

  Arsenal have been highly successful in the 1990s and 2000s, but Highbury's capacity was limited to only 38,500 in the post-Taylor report era; virtually every match was sold out and the club were unable to maximise matchday revenue. With expansion of Highbury ruled impossible, in 1999 Arsenal announced plans to move down the road to Ashburton Grove; construction started in December 2002 with the demolition of buildings on the site, and in July 2006 the new Emirates Stadium opened, ready for the start of the 2006-07 season.

  Arsenal took a little time to get used to their new surroundings and as early as November, manager Arsène Wenger conceded that his side was unlikely to make a serious challenge for the title.^[15] Dogged by poor away form throughout the season, Arsenal eventually finished fourth, level on points with third-placed Liverpool. With a team largely filled with reserve and younger players, they reached the League Cup Final, which they lost 2-1 to Chelsea. However they were less successful in other competitions, being knocked out early on in both the Champions League and FA Cup.

  2006–07 marked a transitional period - Arsenal had sold a string of key players, including Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Lauren, Fredrik Ljungberg and most significantly, all-time top scorer and club captain Thierry Henry to Barcelona. Arsenal went into 2007-08 with only three first-team players from the title-winning season in 2003–04, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor and Gael Clichy establishing their places in the side.

  Arsenal started the season strongly, going undefeated until early December, and in the process, setting a club record of 28 matches unbeaten in all competitions.^[16] However, Arsenal slumped in the spring and eventually finished third. Arsenal had little success in the cups, knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool in the quarter-finals and the FA Cup by Manchester United. The League Cup was more fruitful, Arsenal reaching the semi-finals for a third season in a row, before being knocked out 6-2 on aggregate by Tottenham Hotspur - their first defeat in a North London derby in almost nine years.

  Arsenal's 2008-09 started well, reaching top of the table by late September. After that the team lost momentum, with three defeats in November, and had dropped out of the top four by Christmas, despite victories over Manchester United and Chelsea. Arsenal continued to drop points in the league in the New Year, but eventually overtook Aston Villa to regain fourth place by mid-March, eventually finishing nine points clear. Arsenal also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, losing to Chelsea 2-1 in their first game at the new Wembley Stadium; in Europe, they finished second in their group and beat AS Roma and Villarreal before losing 4-1 on aggregate to Manchester United in the semi-finals.

  PLAYERS:
  

  Pages in category "Arsenal F.C. players"

  The following 199 pages are in this category, out of 609 total. This list may not reflect recent changes (learn more).

  List of Arsenal F.C. players A Tony Adams (footballer) Colin Addison Emmanuel Adebayor Jérémie Aliadière Clive Allen Ian Allinson Manuel Almunia Charles Ambler Kwame Ampadu John Anderson (footballer born 1878) Terry Anderson (footballer) Viv Anderson Nicolas Anelka George Armstrong (footballer) Andrei Arshavin Jimmy Ashcroft Jamie Ashdown Jack Aston B John Bacon (footballer) Dave Bacuzzi Alex Bailey Alf Baker Joe Baker Tommy Baldwin Alan Ball, Jr. Steve Ball Júlio Baptista Nacer Barazite Walley Barnes Geoff Barnett (footballer) John Barnwell Graham Barrett Paul Barron Vince Bartram Cliff Bastin Morris Bates Teddy Bateup Brendon Batson Fred Beardsley Pat Beasley Charlie Bell (footballer) Nicklas Bendtner Don Bennett (cricketer) Bob Benson David Bentley Vincent van den Berg Dennis Bergkamp Narada Bernard Adam Birchall Ralph Birkett Amaury Bischoff David Black (footballer) Michael Black (footballer) Tommy Black Jeff Blockley Jimmy Bloomfield Ray Bloomfield Billy Blyth Luís Boa Morte Charles Booth (footballer) Pedro Roberto Silva Botelho Jay Bothroyd Steve Bould Ray Bowden Dave Bowen

  B cont. Henry Boyd Stephen Bradley (footballer) Frank Bradshaw Joe Bradshaw (footballer) Liam Brady Jimmy Brain Tommy Briercliffe Jason Brissett Leon Britton Giovanni van Bronckhorst Harry Brophy Jermaine Brown Laurie Brown (footballer) Lauren Bruton Charlie Buchan James Buchan (footballer) Robert Buchanan (footballer) Bill Buckenham Chris Buckley (footballer) Tony Burns George Burrell Terry Burton Jack Butler (footballer) Paul Byrne (footballer born 1972) C Fabián Caballero Gus Caesar Kevin Campbell (footballer) Sol Campbell William Campbell (footballer) Lee Canoville Eddie Carr Jimmy Carter (footballer) Tommy Caton Jackie Chalmers Fred Chaplin Lee Chapman Mel Charles Stan Charlton Fred Cheesmur John Chenhall Liam Chilvers Ben Chorley Eddie Clamp Danny Clapton Archie Clark (footballer) Peter Clark (footballer) Adrian Clarke (footballer) Gaël Clichy Sean Clohessy Brian Close Donald Cock Andrew Cole Ashley Cole Ernie Coleman Tim Coleman Ernie Collett (footballer) George Collin Alf Common Denis Compton Leslie Compton Matthew Connolly Wilf Copping Francis Coquelin David Cork (footballer born 1962) David Court Freddie Cox Gavin Crawford (footballer)

  C cont. Jack Crayston Patrick Cregg Alex Cropley Archie Cross Jason Crowe Reg Cumner George Curtis (footballer born 1919) Pascal Cygan D Ray Daniel Tomas Danilevičius David Danskin Jock Davie Paul Davies (footballer born 1952) Fred Davis (footballer) Paul Davis (footballer) Jamie Day (footballer born 1979) Guy Demel Denílson Pereira Neves Archie Devine John Devine (footballer) Abou Diaby Lassana Diarra Kaba Diawara John Dick (footballer born 1876) Paul Dickov Lee Dixon Johan Djourou Tommy Docherty Bill Dodgin, Jr. Lee Doherty Pat Dolan Peter Dougall Ted Drake Andy Ducat Jimmy Dunne E George Eastham Emmanuel Eboué Eduardo César Gaspar Eduardo da Silva Georgios Efrem Chris Evans (footballer) Dennis Evans F Łukasz Fabiański Cesc Fàbregas Keith Fahey Doug Farquhar Thomas Fitchie Mathieu Flamini Pat Flanagan Mark Flatts Ross Flitney Rui Fonte Alex Forbes Alex Forsyth (footballer) Bert Freeman Luke Freeman Neil Freeman Jim Furnell G William Gallas Niccolò Galli William Garbutt Rémi Garde Ryan Garry Steve Gatting Ralph Gaudie Charlie George