Arsenal supporters

London based Arsenal Football Club has developed a very strong following since its founding in 1886. Since the 1980s, Arsenal's fans have often been referred to as Gooners, a derivation from the team's nickname, the "Gunners".

Many fanzines, blogs, podcasts and fans websites have been dedicated to the club and the fans have long-standing rivalries with several other clubs; the most notable of which is with near neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, with whom they regularly contest the North London derby.

The club and the fans have regularly featured in portrayals of football in British culture but Arsenal fans come from far and wide; a 2005 report estimated Arsenal's global fanbase at 112 million, the third-largest in the world.[1][2] A September 2011 report estimated Arsenal's fanbase at 100 million worldwide, still making them the third-largest team in terms of supporters.[3]

Arsenal fans have long been stereotyped for the dissatisfaction they appear to feel – and express – towards their club. Sometimes the regular low-level grumbling will erupt, with severe criticisms and bitter feelings being aired. An example of this in the 2010s was a vociferous group – dubbed "The Anti-Arsenal Arsenal"[4] – that had manager Arsène Wenger as the principal target of their dissatisfactions. However, the perception of Arsenal fans as being hard to please is an old one. Even at times of success antagonism was noted. Such was the experience of the title winning teams of 1953 and 1971. Not even the figure behind the successful 1930s team successes was spared: Herbert Chapman complained of the activities of the "boo-boys"[5] and title-winning manager George Graham was strongly criticised over choice of players and tactical strategy.

In 2010, Arsenal supporters became the first fans of a Premier League club able to buy percentages of a stake in Arsenal through a "fanshare" scheme, therefore giving them rights to attend shareholders meetings.[6]

Demographics

Arsenal's performance in home matches have resulted in them having the second-highest average League attendance for an English club during the 2007–08 season, (60,069, which was 99.5% of available capacity),[7] and as of 2006, the fourth-highest all-time average attendance.[8] Arsenal have the highest proportion (7.7%) of non-white attending supporters of any club in the Premier League, according to a 2002 report.[9]

There are supporters' clubs worldwide. A 2005 report by Granada Ventures, which at the time owned a 9.9% stake in the club, estimated Arsenal's global fanbase at 27 million, the third-largest in the world.[1]

The club's north London location, adjoining socially wealthy areas such as Canonbury and Barnsbury, mixed areas such as Islington, Holloway, Highbury, and the adjacent London Borough of Camden, and largely working-class areas such as Finsbury Park and Stoke Newington, as well as neighbouring Homerton, Clapton and Dalston, has meant that Arsenal's supporters have typically come from across the usual class divides. Much of the Afro-Caribbean support comes from the neighbouring London Borough of Hackney and a large portion of the South Asian Arsenal supporters travel to the stadium from Wembley and Harrow, in the north west of the capital. The NW London areas of Edgware, Hendon and Barnet are home to many of the club's Jewish supporters, who are also among the many Arsenal fans from adjacent Hertfordshire towns such as Borehamwood.

Songs

In addition to the usual English football chants, Arsenal's supporters sing "One-Nil to the Arsenal" (to the tune of "Go West") and also regularly sing "Who's that team they call the Arsenal", "Good Old Arsenal" (to the tune of "Rule, Britannia!") and "We're the North Bank/Clock End Highbury". The fans also chant "Boring, Boring Arsenal" in self-deprecating reference to Arsenal's reputation during the 1970s and 1980s as an overly defensive, cautious team.[10] The team's new (May 2022) anthem is The Angel (North London Forever) by Louis Dunford.[11][12][13]

Rivalries

One of Arsenal's longest-running and deepest rivalries is with their nearest major neighbours, Tottenham Hotspur, with matches between the two being referred to as the North London derby.

Arsenal also have a rivalry with West London club Chelsea, which is also considered a major derby. In addition, a strong on-pitch rivalry with Manchester United dates back to the late 1980s, which intensified in the 1990s as both clubs began often competing for the Premier League title.[14] Some fans consider Manchester United to be the club's biggest and most disliked rival, due to their constant altercations at the peak of English football.

A 2003 online survey found that Arsenal supporters most dislike Tottenham, followed by Manchester United and Chelsea. [15]

Traditions

St. Totteringham's Day

Saint Totteringham's Day is a concept created in 2002 and first published on the fan website arseweb.com.[16][17] It is the day when Arsenal have gathered sufficient points to be mathematically assured to finish ahead of Tottenham in the league table. In 2007, the concept was first mentioned (mistakenly as 'St. Totteridge') in an Arsenal official match programme[18] although there are suggestions that it has existed since 2005.[19] St. Totteringham's day 2010 was the first time the celebration was acknowledged by mainstream media, with mentions from the BBC,[20] and The Guardian[21] newspapers.

The unofficial 'holiday' did not occur from 2017 to 2022; Spurs' 2–0 win over Arsenal in April 2017 ensured that Tottenham would finish above Arsenal in the league for the first time in 22 years.[22] In April 2023 Arsenal's 3–3 draw with Southampton mathematically confirmed their higher league finish ending the 6-year run without finishing above Spurs.[23]

Yellow ribbon symbolism

Wearing a yellow ribbon, or symbolism pertaining to yellow ribbons or the colour yellow is a tradition often associated with Arsenal playing at Wembley Stadium (or other cup finals). It is thought to have originated in the 1950s and 70s, when Arsenal had considerable successes reaching the FA Cup Final. As a nod to Arsenal's iconic yellow kit used, fans sang a rendition of "Round Her Neck She Wears a Yeller Ribbon" as a chant. Originally, a US war poem, first published in 1917, it was popularised in 1949 by the film, 'She Wore a Yellow Ribbon' starring John Wayne, where the Andrews Sisters performed the song. Since then, it has been established into fan folklore.[24]

Controversies

Arsenal supporters enjoy good relations with police forces around the country and especially the Metropolitan Police. The club and authorities work closely together to police fans, with both using their available powers where necessary.[25]

Arsenal fans have been involved in a number of incidents of racist and homophobic abuse at matches over the years. They have been accused of making homophobic and racist chants and materials directed at ex-Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole.[26] In 2018, Arsenal announced an investigation into "discriminatory and violent" behaviour by fans during a match against rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Fans were alleged to have hissed (a reference to the gas chambers using during the Holocaust) and chanted about "gassing Jews".[27] Antisemitic abuse has been a longstanding issue at matches involving Arsenal and Tottenham, as the latter have historic links with North London's Jewish community. Fans have also come under fire for continued use of the word "Yid" in chants.[28]

A 2021 investigation found that Granit Xhaka had been racially abused by Arsenal season ticket holders online.[29] The same study found that Hector Bellerin was targeted with homophobic abuse.[30] Former Arsenal player Emmanuel Adebayor claimed he was racially abused by fans with a chant about his dad washing elephants after he transferred to Manchester City.[31] In 2019 Arsenal announced an investigation into racist abuse directed at Napoli player Kalidou Koulibaly after a Snapchat video shot during the Europa League match showed a fan using the n-word; the club pledged to find and ban the culprit.[32] An Arsenal Fan TV pundit was dismissed from the channel after he referred to South Korean Tottenham player Son Heung-min as a "DVD", a racial slur that is a reference to selling illegal discs.[33] Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace said he received racist abuse and threats to his family on social media after he was accused of diving to win a penalty during a 2–2 draw with Arsenal.[34] In February 2013 the Football Association launched a probe into allegations that an Arsenal fan had racially abused Newcastle United's Cheick Tiote.[35]

Fans of Arsenal and Manchester United were singled out for criticism after being recorded chanting sexist abuse at Chelsea's female club doctor Eva Carneiro during matches.[36]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Arsenal Fans". My Arsenal Tickets. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  2. ↑ "Learn English with the Premier League". Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  3. ↑ O'Rielly, Lara. "Arsenal revs up digital marketing to attract global fanbase". Marketing Week. Centaur Media plc. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "The AAA". untold-arsenal.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  5. ↑ "Why do football pundits wear jackets and ties?". untold-arsenal.com. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  6. ↑ "Henry Winter: Arsenal Fanshare should be adopted by all Premier League clubs". The Daily Telegraph. London. 18 August 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  7. ↑ Kempster, Tony. "Attendances 2007/08". Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  8. ↑ "All Time League Attendance Records". Nufc.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2013. Arsenal's fans are well known for there good support but also bad and aggressive behavior. Please note that some pre-war attendance figures used by this source were estimates and may not be entirely accurate.
  9. ↑ "Soccer violence declining say fans". BBC News. 27 February 2002. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007.
  10. ↑ Noble, Kate (22 September 2002). "Boring, Boring Arsenal". Time. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  11. ↑ James, Josh (8 May 2022). "Arteta – It was emotional". arsenal.com. Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  12. ↑ Lawrence, Amy (9 May 2022). "'North London forever' – the goosebumps moment that captured the spirit of Arsenal past, present and future". theathletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  13. ↑ Davison, Chris (8 May 2022). "Arsenal trial new anthem 'The Angel' at the Emirates Stadium ahead of Leeds United clash". football.london. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  14. ↑ "The Classic: Arsenal-Manchester Utd". FIFA. 17 January 2007. Archived from the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  15. ↑ "Rivalry Uncovered!" (PDF). Football Fans Census. 26 October 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  16. ↑ "Origin of St. Totteringham's day". Arseweb.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  17. ↑ "Arseweb Newsreel February 2002". Arseweb.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2002. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  18. ↑ Boris Mellor (9 March 2008). "Earliest St Totteringham's Day Ever?". Arsenal Times. thefootballnetwork.net. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  19. ↑ Spurling, Jon (2007). Highbury The Story of Arsenal in N.5. London: Orion Books Ltd. p. 310. ISBN 978-0-7528-7639-9.
  20. ↑ Stevenson, Jonathan (9 May 2010). "Sunday football as it happened". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  21. ↑ Doyle, Paul; Glendenning, Barry (21 October 2005). "Soprano and Jail Bird". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  22. ↑ Surlis, Patrick (30 April 2017). "Tottenham 2–0 Arsenal: Dele Alli and Harry Kane settle north London derby". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  23. ↑ "Premier League Table matchweek 32". premierleague.com. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  24. ↑ "Revealed: Why Arsenal fans sing 'she wore a yellow ribbon' during cup finals at Wembley". football.london. 24 February 2018.
  25. ↑ Problems With Our Site Archived 3 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Islington.gov.uk (13 April 2005). Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  26. ↑ Police to search fans for homophobic materials Pink News
  27. ↑ "Arsenal investigate claims of antisemitic behaviour by fans during Carabao Cup loss to Tottenham". The Independent. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  28. ↑ The 'Y' word When Saturday Comes
  29. ↑ "Granit Xhaka: Arsenal season-ticket holders racially abused midfielder online, according to study". Sky Sports. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  30. ↑ Xhaka and Bellerin victims of racial and homophobic abuse by Arsenal fans, study claims
  31. ↑ "'The racist abuse was too much' - Adebayor explains infamous Arsenal celebration". goal.com. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  32. ↑ "Arsenal investigate video of fan racially abusing Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly". The Guardian. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  33. ↑ "Arsenal Fan TV pundit dropped for racist comment". BBC. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  34. ↑ Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha reveals racist abuse over penalty
  35. ↑ Arsenal probed over fan 'racist abuse' at Cheick Tiote Newcastle Evening Chronicle
  36. ↑ "Campaign against sexism in football focuses on abuse of Chelsea doctor". The Guardian. 5 March 2015. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022.
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