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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Arsenal F.C.

Arsenal Football Club is a professional football club based in Islington, North London, England.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Arsenal Football Club is a professional football club based in Islington, North London, England. Founded in 1886, it competes in the Premier League and is one of the most successful clubs in English football. Nicknamed the Gunners, the club has played at the Emirates Stadium since 2006 and is currently managed by Mikel Arteta.

History

Arsenal Football Club was founded in 1886 as Dial Square by workers from the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory. It later became Royal Arsenal and then Woolwich Arsenal before adopting its current name. The club joined the Football League in 1893 and has been in the top tier of English football since 1919.

Honours

The club is among the most decorated in English football. Its major honours include 14 league titles, 14 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 17 FA Community Shields, and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Stadiums

Arsenal played at Highbury from 1913 to 2006, when it moved to the Emirates Stadium. The Emirates Stadium is now the club’s home ground and has a listed capacity of 60,260.

Identity and nickname

The club’s nickname, the Gunners, reflects its origins among workers associated with the Woolwich Arsenal armament factory. The cannon imagery remains central to the club’s identity.

Key facts

  • Arsenal was founded in 1886 as Dial Square by workers from the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory.
  • The club has won 14 English league titles, including an unbeaten league campaign in 2003–04.
  • Arsenal has won a record 14 FA Cups.
  • Its home ground has been the Emirates Stadium since 2006; before that, it played at Highbury from 1913 to 2006.
  • Arsenal is based in Islington, North London, after originally being formed in Woolwich, south-east London.
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Canadian context

Arsenal has a Canadian audience through Premier League broadcasting and supporters’ clubs in Canada, but it has no special Canadian affiliation in its history or operations.

Frequently asked questions

What is Arsenal F.C.?
Arsenal F.C. is a professional association football club based in Islington, London, competing in the Premier League.
When was Arsenal founded?
Arsenal was founded in 1886, originally as Dial Square.
Why is Arsenal called the Gunners?
The nickname comes from the club’s origins among workers at the Woolwich Arsenal armament factory, which was associated with cannons and weapons.
Where does Arsenal play its home matches?
Arsenal plays at the Emirates Stadium in North London.
How many league titles has Arsenal won?
Arsenal has won 14 English league titles.
How many FA Cups has Arsenal won?
Arsenal has won 14 FA Cups, a record in English football.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenal_F.C.
    Supports: Founding date, league, honours, home ground, location, and club identity.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arsenal-English-football-club
    Supports: Club history, founding, top-flight status, and major honours.
  3. Arsenal FC — https://www.arsenal.com/history
    Supports: Club origin, Dial Square history, and Highbury home history.
  4. FootballHistory.org — https://www.footballhistory.org/club/arsenal.html
    Supports: Early origins and nickname explanation.
  5. BBC — https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/top-teams-uncovered/arsenal
    Supports: Founding background, nickname, and historical milestones.