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| | [[Image:Arsenal FC.jpg |thumb|200px|Club badge]] | | [[Image:Arsenal FC.jpg |thumb|200px|Club badge]] |
| − | '''Arsenal F.C.''' is one of the most successful British football clubs in history, having won 13 league championships, 3 of which are [[English Premier League|Premier League]] titles.<ref>http://www.123football.com/clubs/england/arsenal/index.htm</ref> They have also won nine FA Cups<ref>http://www.123football.com/clubs/england/arsenal/index.htm</ref>. They are one of the Big Four of British soccer, along with [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Manchester United]], and [[Liverpool]]. They currently play at the Emirates Stadium, having moved from Highbury after the end of the 2005-06 season.<ref>http://www.123football.com/clubs/england/arsenal/index.htm</ref> | + | '''Arsenal F.C.''' is one of the most successful British football clubs in history, having won 13 league championships, 3 of which are [[English Premier League|Premier League]] titles.<ref>http://www.123football.com/clubs/england/arsenal/index.htm</ref> They have also won the FA Cup on nine occasions<ref>http://www.123football.com/clubs/england/arsenal/index.htm</ref>. They are considered one of the Big Four of British soccer, along with [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Manchester United]], and [[Liverpool]]. They currently play at the Emirates Stadium, having moved from Highbury after the end of the 2005-06 season.<ref>http://www.123football.com/clubs/england/arsenal/index.htm</ref> |
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| | ==History<ref>http://www.123football.com/clubs/england/arsenal/index.htm</ref>== | | ==History<ref>http://www.123football.com/clubs/england/arsenal/index.htm</ref>== |
| − | Arsenal was founded in 1886 as Dial Square F.C., changing to Woolwich Arsenal, Royal Arsenal, and back to Woolwich Arsenal. They played in the second division from 1893-1904, when they were promoted to the first division. They went down again from 1913-1919, but they have stayed in England's top division since then. They changed their name to The Arsenal during that last stint in the second division. Managed by Herbert Chapman, they won three FA cups and dropped the "The" from their name, becoming just "Arsenal F.C.". | + | Arsenal was founded in 1886 as Dial Square F.C., changing their name to Woolwich Arsenal, then Royal Arsenal, before reverting back to Woolwich Arsenal. They played in the second division from 1893-1904, when they were promoted to the first division. They were relegated and remained down from 1913 to 1919, but they have remained in England's top division since then. They changed their name to The Arsenal during that last stint in the second division. Managed by Herbert Chapman, they won three FA cups and dropped the "The" from their name, becoming just "Arsenal F.C.". |
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| − | After his unexpected death, George Allison came in and guided them to three consecutive League titles. After [[World War II]], several players had their careers cut short by either death or injury. Allison resigned and was replaced by Tom Whitaker. Whitaker enjoyed instant success, winning two league titles and an FA cup. After the second league title, the team went through a sixteen year drought, which covered three coaches.
| + | Following Chapman's unexpected death, George Allison came in and guided them to three consecutive League titles. After [[World War II]], several players had their careers cut short by either death or injury. Allison resigned and was replaced by Tom Whitaker. Whitaker enjoyed instant success, winning two league titles and an FA cup. After the second league title, the team went through a sixteen year drought, which covered three coaches. |
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| | In the 1970s, the club was led through a difficult period of obscurity. However, under Terry Neill, they went to three straight FA Cup finals, winning the 1979 Cup over Manchester United. However, another poor period led them through the first half of the 1980s. | | In the 1970s, the club was led through a difficult period of obscurity. However, under Terry Neill, they went to three straight FA Cup finals, winning the 1979 Cup over Manchester United. However, another poor period led them through the first half of the 1980s. |
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| − | In the 1985-86 season, enter George Graham, a former Arsenal player and Millwall manager. Under his leadership, of which fans still talk about with total fondness, they secured the 1988-89 English League championship at the last moment against Liverpool. In 1993, the team doubled up, winning the FA Cup and League Cup, both over Sheffield Wednesday. After his retirement, however, several new coaches came and failed to meet expectations, even with such players as [[Goalkeeper]] [[David Seaman]] and famed [[Dutch]] [[striker]] [[Dennis Bergkamp]]. | + | In the 1985-86 season, George Graham, a former Arsenal player and Millwall manager, took over the helm. Under his leadership, of which fans still talk about with total fondness, they secured the 1988-89 English League championship at the last moment against Liverpool. In 1993, the team doubled up, winning the FA Cup and League Cup, both over Sheffield Wednesday. After his retirement, however, several new coaches came and failed to meet expectations, even with such players as [[Goalkeeper]] [[David Seaman]] and famed [[Dutch]] [[striker]] [[Dennis Bergkamp]]. |
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| | Now, under Arsene Wenger, the team won their three Premiership titles. Wenger is now considered one of the best managers that the team has ever had. Arsenal continues to look for success, even after the departure for star striker [[Thierry Henry]] to [[FC Barcelona]]. Currently, their sponsor is Fly Emirates, the national airline of the [[UAE]]. | | Now, under Arsene Wenger, the team won their three Premiership titles. Wenger is now considered one of the best managers that the team has ever had. Arsenal continues to look for success, even after the departure for star striker [[Thierry Henry]] to [[FC Barcelona]]. Currently, their sponsor is Fly Emirates, the national airline of the [[UAE]]. |
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| − | At present, Arsenal has a reputation of buying in players with a lot of potential when they are young, before they are fully recognised as great players. Arsene Wenger and his scouts have 'made' a lot of great players. A good example is Thierry Henry, who before he came to Arsenal played as a winger with mixed success. Wenger, however, saw he had potential as a striker and Thierry Henry is now considered the greatest striker in the world. | + | At present, Arsenal has a reputation of buying in players with a lot of potential when they are young, before they are fully recognised as great players. Arsene Wenger and his scouts have 'made' a lot of great players. A good example is Thierry Henry, who before he came to Arsenal, played as a winger with mixed success. Wenger, however, identified his potential as a striker and Thierry Henry is now considered one of the greatest strikers in the world. |
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| − | Recently, Arsenal had received a lot of criticism for relying so heavily on young, inexperienced players, with their title rivals claiming they are unable to cope throughout the whole season. | + | Recently, Arsenal have been criticised for relying so heavily on young, inexperienced players; with their rivals claiming they are unable to cope throughout the whole season. |
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| | ==Roster== | | ==Roster== |