Arsenal trophies during the recovery programme

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By Tony Attwood

The decision to move from Arsenal to a new stadium that was to be built on wasteland close by, meant that the number of people who could see the club play rose by about 45%, and increased the attractiveness of the club to players who were thinking of transferring to Arsenal.

However, it also meant a long period of privation, as Arsenal had to pay for the costs of buying the new ground, developing the site, and then transforming the old Highbury stadium into housing suitable for the area.

But also the move was very disruptive, and it slowed down Arsenal’s ability to keep winning the league, although it did not end that run completely, as we all know.

Arsenal have in fact won the top division in English football 14 times. This is not a record- both Liverpool and Manchester United have won the league more often – but some of their titles date back to the early days of league football in England, when the 1st division was certainly not as competitive as it has been in later decades. Arsenal we may note, did not start winning the league until the 1930s, by which time, we might also note, Liverpool had already notched up four titles.

Thus Arsene Wenger’s ability to bring trophies to Arsenal in the shape of the FA Cup continued right up until one season before he left, and it was his tireless work that meant that when Arsenal opened their new stadium in 2006, there could be great celebrations, but the cost of paying for the new ground meant that the amount of money available for new players was seriously depleted

In 2004/5 Arsenal won the FA Cup but then won no more trophies until 2014. However, during those eight years without a trophy Arsenal never once dropped out of the top four of the Premier League’s final table. This meant that in each successive year the club entered the Champions League and thus gained the additional cash needed to help pay for the building of the Emirates Stadium. Sadly, however, this approach was not welcomed by some supporters, who called upon Wenger to leave after the chant “fourth is not a trophy” was created. The media, of course, as they always do, instantly latched on to this negative view.

Of course it is difficult to compare different eras because different competitions were available, but a certain level of comparison can be made. Here is Arsenal’s record across time ….

1893-1915: 12 seasons in Division 2, nine seasons in Division 1.
The current run of 100 seasons in the top division began in 1919 when Arsenal were elected into the first division upon its expansion by two clubs.

If you would like to read the details of how Arsenal were elected into the first division, by far the most comprehensive review of the proceedings is given in the articles below.

The reform of football, the promotion of The Arsenal

Thereafter, Arsenal has stayed in the top division. Here is a quick breakdown

1920-1929: Ten seasons in Division 1- highest position second, achieved once.
1930-1939: Five league titles and two FA Cup wins.
1947-1970: Two league titles
1971-1988: One league title and two FA Cup wins
1989-1997: Two league titles and one FA Cup win
1998-2005: Three league titles, two second places, four FA Cup wins.
2005-2013: Five third places, three fourth places
2014- 2020. Four FA Cup wins, one second, one third and one fourth place in the league.
2021-2026: Three runners-up places and one league title in four consecutive years

2026 was the 100th year in the top division: an all-time record for England. The second-placed team was Everton who in 2026 completed their 72nd consecutive year in the top league. This was an exact replica of 1999 to 2002.

Despite this being the all-time record season of 100 consecutive campaigns in the top division, Arsenal Football Club refused to note this, despite one passing mention in a first team programme. We can, though, celebrate that Arsenal not only completed 100 consecutive seasons in the top division, but on the occasion of their 100th consecutive season, also won the league

2014: FA Cup won
2015: FA Cup Won
2016: 2nd in the league
2017: FA Cup Won
2018: Wenger leaves at end of season, replaced by Emery
2019: 8th in the league;; Arteta appointed December 2019
2020: FA Cup Won – 8th in the league
2021: 8th in the league
2022: 5th in the league
2023: 2nd in the league
2024: 2nd in the league
2025: 2nd in the league
2026: Premier League won; Champions League runners-up

Wenger won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, including the Double in 1998 and 2002. This compares with Herbert Chapman, who won the league twice and the Cup once, although he passed away mid-season, in which the league was won again. George Graham won the league twice and the Cup Winners’ Cup once, the League Cup twice and the UEFA Cup once.

There was a gap of 22 years between the last Wenger league title and Arteta’s league title in 2026. That was the longest wait ever for a league title since Arsenal won their first league title in 1931. There was a gap of just three years between Wenger’s last trophy (the FA Cup in 2017) and Arteta’s first trophy (the cup in 2020).

The 2026 victory was the fourth time Arsenal have won the Premier League; in the 34 seasons of the league there have been just even different winners.

Perhaps the most moving statement ever made about the club was the final comment by Arsene Wenger. “To all the Arsenal lovers, take care of the values of the club.”

If I may for once write on behalf of those who have helped produce the articles on this site, and indeed the whole of Arsenal Independent Supporters Association (AISA) that is exactly what we aim to do.

Our eternal thanks go to Mr Wenger each and every day.

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