During a football trip to Arsenal, you will have the opportunity to discover the English capital through its unrivalled passion for soccer but also the atmosphere of the city’s pubs or the beauty of its monuments full of history.
Arsenal History
The Arsenal club is a mythic club of the English capital. It was founded in 1886 by the workers of an arms and explosives factory, the Royal Arsenal. This is how the name Arsenal came to be used in soccer.
In 1910, a major investor, Henry Norris, already owner of Fulham, bought the club which was in financial liquidation. He intended to merge the two clubs, but the league did not give him a positive opinion. As a result, the new owner decided that the club should move to Highbury in the Arsenal Stadium to be closer to the city in order to have a larger attendance.
Then, the London club returned to the first division in 1919 and began a glorious period that would last about twenty years. This success is marked by the presence of the coach Herbert Chapman and talented players such as Alex James and Cliff Bastin. By visiting the Gunners Museum, you will have the opportunity to fully relive this period through photos and objects of the period.
Several periods of success and disillusionment followed. It is Arsène Wenger, French coach who is at the origin of the greatest success that the world of soccer has known in championship. He will create a new identity for the club by recruiting new players such as Henry, Bergkamp, Vieira, Campbell, … The most important year of the club, 2004, where Arsenal won the championship having lost no game! The Gunners are nicknamed “the invincibles” with 49 games in a row without defeat. This achievement propelled the London club from the national to the international stage and created the Big Four (four best English clubs). When you go to an Arsenal match, you’ll see the culmination of decades of passion for football. What football fan hasn’t dreamed of seeing one of the world’s best football teams in action?
Because of its previous successes, the Arsenal Stadium was too small to cope with the demand of the fans. After first wanting to renovate the historic stadium, the option of building a new stadium was chosen. The English capital saw the birth of the Emirates Stadium. However, the old one is still a place you can visit and admire. In particular, the remaining parts of the structure.
In this new stadium, the Gunners won some trophies without shining too much. Today, Arsenal is experiencing a very good period with a second wind making them favorites to win the championship.
Emirates stadium tour and museum
If you’re a football fan, visiting the world-famous Emirates Stadium, home to the Gunners, is an absolute must. Located in the heart of North London, this modern stadium is one that will blow you away. As the winners of 13 League titles, 14 FA Cups and 2 league cups, there is much to discover and explore at one of the world’s most successful football clubs.
Have the special opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at the Emirates and experience it as the players would. Feel the pressure that Arsene Wenger would have felt over his tenure in the Press Room, discover the horse-shoed shape home dressing rooms and the away dressing rooms before following in the footsteps of your favourite players down the players’ tunnel. It’s here that you’ll be met with the incredible sights of the Emirates pitch, known across the world for being one of the best kept football pitches.
Highbury Square Stadium
Go back to the club’s roots, where Arsenal made thousands of people dream between 1913 and 2006. It is in this stadium that the Gunners managed their magnificent series of 49 games without defeat. Today, the stands of this stadium have been transformed into apartments and the lawn into a garden. You can easily go and see the remains of this stadium which is 5 minutes walk from the Emirates Stadium.
Bronze statue of Thierry Henry
Since December 9, 2011, you can go and see a bronze statue of Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s all-time top scorer and second highest French scorer in all competitions. He was one of the main actors of the Gunners’ unbeaten run in 2004.
The Gunners Pub
If you want to get in the mood for the game even before kick-off, you shouldn’t hesitate for a second to go to this iconic pub for the fans who meet there before, during or after the games. It’s only a 10-minute walk from the Emirates Stadium and houses a wonderful collection of artifacts and photos related to the club’s history. You will immediately be immersed in a warm atmosphere where passion for soccer is the most important. This is the perfect place to go during a football trip.
Admire the view from The Shard
Consistently voted one of London’s top tourist attractions, The View from The Shard offers the best views of the city from the top of London’s tallest skyscraper. Visit The View from The Shard and see London from the highest observation deck offering breathtaking 360 degree panoramic views, day and night.
The View from the Shard gives you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the best views of the city or celebrate the win of Arsenal with a glass of Moet et Chandon in hand in one of London’s most famous locations with its unique champagne bar. Because relaxing is important on a football trip !