There’s little doubt that Arsenal, despite some their recent problems, are one of the powerhouses of English football.
In the last 20 years, they have consistently finished in the top four under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger as well as succeeding in FA Cups, League Cups and reaching a Champions League final.
While the 66-year-old may well come under some intense criticism, he has quite clearly turned the club into a constant presence among the Premier League’s top order.
However, there is more to the Gunners than the impressive performances on the pitch.
The North London outfit boast an intriguing background, with plenty of interesting information that surprised the bar-stool-experts in the Football Transfer Tavern.
In fact, even our ever wise Landlord was slightly taken aback by some of the unknown facts regarding Arsenal football club.
Test yourself and see if you knew these seven unusual facts about the Gunners.
Seven Heaven
That’s right! Former Arsenal forward Ted Drake scored seven goals in one game against Aston Villa in December 1935.
The Gunners’ classic number 9 scored 124 times in 167 appearances for Arsenal in a career spanning over 11 years but he was unable to return to action properly after the Second World War due to a spinal injury he suffered during a game versus Reading.
The legendary forward also featured for Southampton in the early 30s, scoring 47 goals in 71 appearances.
Relegation Record
In 1913, Arsenal won one solitary home game all season which resulted in their eventual relegation.
However, this relegation is the only one the Gunners have ever endured.
They returned to the top flight (in dubious circumstances, I hasten to add) in 1919 and have remained there ever since.
No matter how controversial their promotion back to the top-flight was, Arsenal’s consistency to remain there has been exemplary as they’ve seen other footballing heavyweights toil back and forth between the divisions.
Foreign Policy
Against Crystal Palace in 2005, Arsenal became the first team to name a completely non-English squad, substitutes included!
Fortunately for Arsenal, they went on to win the game 5-1 but the lack of any Englishman, in fact, the lack of any British player near the squad reduces the joy of the victory somewhat.
Nowadays, Wenger has tried to integrate young English talent into his team with the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, and Kieran Gibbs all in his squad.
San Siro delight
Arsenal defeated Inter Milan in 2003. In fact, they humiliated the Nerazzurri by winning 5-1.
In the reverse fixture at Highbury, Inter Milan made light work of the Gunners, winning 3-0 but Arsene Wenger’s men sure enacted their revenge with their dominant display in Italy before being knocked out by Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
In 2008, Arsenal completed their repertoire of victories against Milan sides by defeating AC 2-0 at the San Siro.
They had to wait until the 84th minute before Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring and Emmanuel Adebayor wrapped up the magical game helping Arsenal progress to the Quarter Final stage.
3D Vision
Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United in January 2010 was the first match that was televised in 3D.
Alan Parry claimed in commentary ‘3D will give us a real opportunity to watch and admire the movement of this Arsenal team.’
However, the Gunners were defeated 3-1 in a game that will not live long in the memory of the fans but for those watching from home, they were part of history.
Wenger’s Landmark
In 1997/98, when Arsene Wenger managed Arsenal to the league title, he became the first manager not born in England or Ireland to win the championship.
Considering that the league has been running for over 100 years, that is quite some record to break.
The Frenchman has since gone on to win a further two Premier League titles.
Nickname?
The final interesting fact about Arsenal concerns their nickname ‘the Gunners.’ It turns out that the name derives from a group of cannon makers at the Woolwich Arsenal in 1886.
They formed the club and the nickname has stuck ever since.
It has even featured on some of the clubs shirts and crests.
