The day Chapman resigned from Arsenal and was told to go back to work

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 5 April The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris at the Arsenal is… When Arsenal hit rock bottom of the League. October 1921 The current series:  Covering all aspects off the life and work of the man who …

Poor crowds at Arsenal? 30 years ago today 19,341 turned up at Highbury.

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 4 April The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris at the Arsenal is… When Arsenal hit rock bottom of the League. October 1921 The current series:  Covering all aspects off the life and work of the man who …

When Arsenal played Tottenham at home but the Arsenal fans didn’t turn up

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 3 April The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris at the Arsenal is… When Arsenal hit rock bottom of the League. October 1921 The current series:  Covering all aspects off the life and work of the man who …

When Arsenal hit rock bottom of the League. October 1921

By Tony Attwood This article is dedicated with the deepest love and affection to the memory of my mother and father Arthur and Margaret Attwood, who many, many, many years ago, when I was a schoolboy, gave me my first ever book of historic league tables.  Quite why this article in particular is selected should …

Have you heard the story about the lowest league crowd? It’s not quite as a it seems.

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 2 April The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris at the Arsenal is… Why did Arsenal manager Knighton turn down Man City but not buy players? Summer of 1921. The current series:  Covering all aspects off the life …

Arsenal ban radio commentary from the stadium.

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 1 April The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris at the Arsenal is… Why did Arsenal manager Knighton turn down Man City but not buy players? Summer of 1921. The current series:  Covering all aspects off the life …

The Arsenal collapse of autumn 1921: Knighton’s curious positional strategy

By Tony Attwood One of the points I have tried to bring across in this history of Henry Norris’ time at Arsenal is the amount of turmoil there was in UK during the post-war era we’re now looking at.  Mass strikes, demonstrations, revolt in Ireland, unemployment on huge scales…  And on 1 September one more …

From Arsenal’s first FA Cup semi to Diaby, Arteta, Wilshere and Debuchy recovering from injury all at once

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 31 March The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris at the Arsenal is… Why did Arsenal manager Knighton turn down Man City but not buy players? Summer of 1921. The full index to “Henry Norris at the Arsenal” …

When Sunderland threatened to sue Charlie Buchan if he went to serve his country in 1915

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 30 March The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris at the Arsenal is… Why did Arsenal manager Knighton turn down Man City but not buy players? Summer of 1921. The full index to “Henry Norris at the Arsenal” …

Only once in the entire season did Arsenal score more than one goal – and then they lost!

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 29 March The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris at the Arsenal is… Why did Arsenal manager Knighton turn down Man City but not buy players? Summer of 1921. The full index to “Henry Norris at the Arsenal” …

Six consecutive games without scoring, and Pires tackles Vieira!

  Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 28 March The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest articles on Henry Norris at the Arsenal is… Why did Arsenal manager Knighton turn down Man City but not buy players? Summer of 1921. The full index to “Henry Norris at the …

Why did Arsenal manager Knighton turn down Man City but not buy players? Summer of 1921.

by Tony Attwood June 1921 was not exactly a time of fun and laughter in the UK.  In politics the Parliament of Northern Ireland assembled for the first time as the Irish war continued.  In a Westminster by-election and “Anti-Waste” candidate (meaning against any government involvement in industrial redevelopment, supporting the poor etc) won the …

The Arsenal player who ran away because of a lack of games.

  Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 27 March The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest articles on Henry Norris are May/June 1921: Knighton the fantasist. The fourth allegation. Arsenal and the League 1920/1: the crowds and Arsenal’s team The full index to “Henry Norris at the Arsenal” …

He scored 20 goals in 26 games and it is still not enough for Arsenal!

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 26 March The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest articles on Henry Norris are May/June 1921: Knighton the fantasist. The fourth allegation. Arsenal and the League 1920/1: the crowds and Arsenal’s team The full index to “Henry Norris at the Arsenal” including …

Arsenal and the League 1920/1: the crowds and Arsenal’s team

By Tony Attwood We can now have a look at the attendance figures from 1920/1 and compare them with earlier times.  All the figures are taken from European Football Statistics.  Below that there is the usual list of players who played 10+ games in the league in the season. A quick look back at how …

Four years after the first Double, and relegation looms with Luton 2 Arsenal 0.

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 25 March.     The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris is May/June 1921: Knighton the fantasist. The fourth allegation. The next episode, with further revelations about Leslie Knighton, the man who sought to destroy Henry Norris’ reputation will …

Seven consecutive wins for Arsenal and 21 goals

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 24 March.   The headline story comes from 2012. The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris is May/June 1921: Knighton the fantasist. The fourth allegation. The next episode, with further revelations about Leslie Knighton, the man who sought to …

May/June 1921: Knighton the fantasist. The fourth allegation.

by Tony Attwood This article updated 15 June 2018 with the addition of the London Combination table and commentary thereon. Arsenal played five games in May, the home and away league games against Liverpool and three friendly games.  It was also a month in which an interview with the manager Leslie Knighton appeared in a …

6 goals in 10 games, 11 without a win. When was this Arsenal’s record?

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 23 March.   The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris is April 1921: Strikes, the best run of the season, and a film of a 1921 game. The next episode, with further revelations about Leslie Knighton, the man who …

April 1921: Strikes, the best run of the season, and a film of a 1921 game.

This article is part of an ongoing series on Arsenal’s history from 1910 to 1927 – the Henry Norris years.  Details of the articles are given at the end.   by Tony Attwood Arsenal started April 1921, with its usual busy Easter programme, sitting in 9th in the First Division league of 22 clubs, but …

When was the last time the media spoke of Arsenal as relegation candidates?

Below are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 22 March.   The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris is Arsenal’s worst home defeat, but a quick recovery pulls things around. March 1921 The next episode will be published later today (all being well!) The answer to the …

Three penalty saves in one season this century. Who was the keeper?

Here are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 21 March.   The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris is Arsenal’s worst home defeat, but a quick recovery pulls things around. March 1921 Apologies for non-appearance of the anniversary files for last few days as I have travelled …

Arsenal go into liquidation

Here are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 18 March.   The full index to what is on this site is here. The latest article on Henry Norris is Arsenal’s worst home defeat, but a quick recovery pulls things around. March 1921   18 March 1893: Building towards entering the league Arsenal beat Middlesbrough Ironopolis 3-0.  The …

When Cesc Fab was charged with entering the field of play inappropriately dressed

Here are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 17 March.   The full index to what is on this site is here. The headline comes from 2009. 17 March 1888: Royal Arsenal 5 Ascham 0.  Part of the 11 match unbeaten run at the end of season 2 during which Royal Arsenal scored 43 goals.  The Ascham …

The only Arsenal goalkeeper to score for Arsenal in a 1st Division match

Here are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 16 March.   The full index to what is on this site is here.   16 March 1896: Arsenal Reserves played Thames Ironworks at Canning Town in what is believed to have been Arsenal’s first floodlit game. Arsenal won 5-3.  Gas lamps were strung over the pitch to provide …