When was Arsenal founded? When did they join the Premier League? How many Premier League titles have they won in the Premier League, and who are the top players in Arsenal? You’ll find all the answers in this article.
Arsenal Premier League Overview
Brief Introduction
Arsenal FC is one of the most successful clubs in British football, with a large global fanbase. The club was founded in 1886 and is nicknamed “The Gunners.”
This North London club has won the top English league title 13 times, only behind Manchester United (20 times) and Liverpool (19 times). After the Premier League was formed in 1992, Arsenal won the Premier league titles three times under French coach Arsène Wenger, in the 1997-98, 2001-02, and 2003-04 seasons.
Great players like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, and Tony Adams have played for Arsenal during their glorious times.
Arsenal Premier League Titles
1997-98 Season: Arsenal Wins First Premier League Title
Arsenal won its first Premier League title in the 1997-98 season. This was the first league title under coach Arsène Wenger and the club’s first in seven years. It was also Arsenal’s 100th season in football.
The team started the season well but faced three losses in four matches between November and December, dropping to sixth place and nearly losing hope for the title.
By the end of February, Arsenal was 12 points behind defending champions Manchester United. However, they achieved ten straight wins in the last two rounds of the league, ultimately securing the title. Dennis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars, and Ian Wright scored a total of 38 league goals that season.
2001-02 Season: Arsenal Claims Premier League Title
Arsenal won the Premier League title again in the 2001-02 season, ending Manchester United’s streak of three consecutive titles. The Gunners finished seven points ahead of second-place Liverpool. They went unbeaten at home and scored in every league match. Thierry Henry was the league’s top scorer with 24 goals that season.
2003-04 Season: The Invincible Season
Arsenal’s last Premier League title came in the 2003-04 season, which was truly special for both the club and English football. The Gunners finished the season unbeaten with 26 wins and 12 draws, winning the title by 11 points.
This year is known as the “Invincible Year.” No other team had ever won the Premier League title while remaining unbeaten for an entire season.
Wenger’s team received a gold trophy, the only team in history to do so instead of the usual silver trophy. Thierry Henry won the Premier League Golden Boot with 30 goals that season.
Arsenal in the Premier League: Results by Year
Seasons |
Positions |
---|---|
1992-93 |
10th |
1993-94 |
4th |
1994-95 |
12th |
1995-96 |
5th |
1996-97 |
3rd |
1997-98 |
1st |
1998-99 |
2nd |
1999-00 |
2nd |
2000-01 |
2nd |
2001-02 |
1st |
2002-03 |
2nd |
2003-04 |
1st |
2004-05 |
2nd |
2005-06 |
4th |
2006-07 |
4th |
2007-08 |
3rd |
2008-09 |
4th |
2009-10 |
3rd |
2010-11 |
4th |
2011-12 |
3rd |
2012-13 |
4th |
2013-14 |
4th |
2014-15 |
3rd |
2015-16 |
2nd |
2016-17 |
5th |
2017-18 |
6th |
2018-19 |
5th |
2019-20 |
8th |
2020-21 |
8th |
2021-22 |
5th |
2022-23 |
2nd |
2023-24 |
2nd |
TOP 3 Players in Arsenal of All Time
Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry is a legendary player for Arsenal. He played for the club for eight years and set a club record with 228 goals. Henry joined Arsenal in 1999 as a winger and later became a forward under coach Arsène Wenger. He quickly became a key player, scoring his first two goals in a derby match and finishing his first season strongly.
During his time at Arsenal, Henry greatly contributed to the team’s success, helping them win two league titles and two FA Cups. In the 2001-02 season, he scored 32 goals, leading the team to a domestic double. He won multiple Player of the Year awards during his peak and was the top scorer four times. In the 2003-04 season, Henry’s amazing performance helped Arsenal complete an unbeaten season, making him an iconic figure and a global superstar.
Although he did not win the Champions League in 2006, he won it with Barcelona in 2009. Henry’s legacy at Arsenal is strong, and fans see him as one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp is another legendary player for Arsenal. He played for the club for 11 years and scored 120 goals, making him the tenth highest scorer in the club’s history. Bergkamp joined Arsenal in 1995 and, despite early pressure, he quickly bounced back and helped the team win the league and FA Cup double in the 1997-98 season. He was known for his excellent technique, strong physique, and precise passing, becoming the heart of Arsenal’s attack.
Under Wenger’s coaching, Bergkamp redefined the style of football in the Premier League and won several Player of the Year awards. In 2003, as he neared retirement, he continued to contribute to the team and ended his career at a high level. His farewell match attracted many football stars, and his achievements made him a great figure in football history. In 2007, he was inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame, becoming the first Dutch player to receive this honor.
Tony Adams
Tony Adams is a legendary captain for Arsenal. He played for the club for fourteen years, making 669 appearances and winning 10 major trophies, including league titles from three different decades. He was known for his excellent leadership and defensive skills, being a core member of Arsenal’s famous back four.
Adams joined Arsenal as a teenager in 1980 and made his first appearance in 1983. At just 21, he became the youngest captain in Arsenal’s history and led the team to league and FA Cup doubles in 1991 and 1993. In 1994, he helped the team win the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Despite facing challenges with alcoholism in 1996, Adams regained confidence under Wenger’s coaching and showcased a more graceful style of play. In 2002, he led the team to another double before retiring from his glorious career. Adams’ achievements and influence make him one of the greatest players in Arsenal’s history.
Arsenal Current Squad
Arsenal F.C. Players:
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Goalkeepers: David Raya, Neto
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Defenders: William Saliba, Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori
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Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Mikel Merino, Declan Rice
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Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling
Arsenal W.F.C. Players:
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Goalkeepers: Manuela Zinsberger, Daphne Van Domselaar, Naomi Williams
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Defenders: Emily Fox, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laia Codina, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, Katie McCabe, Laura Wienroither, Amanda Illestedt, Katie Reid
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Midfielders: Mariona Caldentey, Kim Little, Frida Maanum, Lia Wälti, Victoria Pelova, Katherine Kühl, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Freya Godfrey, Laila Harbert
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Forwards: Beth Mead, Rusul Kafaji, Lina Hurtig, Caitlin Foord, Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius, Vivienne Lia
Club Records: Milestones and Achievements
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Arsenal has participated in the Premier League since 1992 without relegation.
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They did not lose any home matches in the 1998-99, 2003-04, and 2007-08 seasons.
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They also have the longest unbeaten run in league history (49 matches from May 2003 to October 2004).
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On February 10, 2018, a match against Tottenham Hotspur set the Premier League attendance record with 83,222 fans at Wembley.
Recent Performance: Highlights and Insights
Under manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal finished second in the 2022-23 Premier League, their best result since 2004. They again finished as runners-up in the 2023-24 season. As of the 2024-25 season, they currently rank third, with five wins out of eight matches.
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