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 …

Arsenal’s worst home defeat, but a quick recovery pulls things around. March 1921

By Tony Attwood This article continues our series of Henry Norris at the Arsenal. 5 March 1921 was a designated FA Cup day and with Arsenal out of the cup but their scheduled opponents for the day still involved, they had no game to play.  And so in keeping with the tradition of the time,  …

The birth of the man who led Arsenal, and its supporters, completely astray.

Here are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 15 March.   The full index to what is on this site is here. Our headline story is from 1884     Meanwhile, the latest episode in our series of articles about Henry Norris at the Arsenal is now published: The 3rd Knighton allegation against Norris: did he sell …

Is History Repeating Itself for Arsenal?

  Arsenal lost the League Cup final at Wembley in humbling fashion. They were knocked out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest, and finished in a disappointing sixth position in the league. The Gunners stuck with their manager that summer and the next season they won the league for the first time in over …

When Arsenal fans burned down the stand and the press through it was all rather fun.

Here are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 14 March.   The full index to what is on this site is here. Our headline story is from 1908     Meanwhile, the latest episode in our series of articles about Henry Norris at the Arsenal is now published: The 3rd Knighton allegation against Norris: did he sell …

The origins of “Boring Boring Arsenal” and the passing of one of our great managers

Here are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 13 March.   The full index to what is on this site is here. “Boring Boring Arsenal” came from 1993 (see below) and our manager who died on this day was George Allison part of the collective of four successive managers who between them won seven league titles and …

When the anti-Wenger groups protested against Rosický getting a contract renewal.

Here are the anniversaries of Arsenal for 12 March.  Our headline story comes from 12 March 2012 The full index to what is on this site is here.   Meanwhile, the latest episode in our series of articles about Henry Norris at the Arsenal is now published: The 3rd Knighton allegation against Norris: did he …