But What Do You Know about Arsenal?

Arsenal was founded as Dial Square in 1886, using the name of one of the arnament factories in and around Woolwich. Dial Square played their first game on the Isle of Dogs against Eastern Wanderers and won 6-0. Soon after, Dial Sqaure became Royal Arsenal and matches were played on Plumstead Common and various other grounds. In 1891 Royal Arsenal turned professional and the name changed again to Woolwich Arsenal.

In 1893 Woolwich Arsenal gained admittance to the Football League and in 1904 they won promotion to the First Division. Woolwich Arsenal's existence in the top flight was beset with problems. Low attendances and lack of enthusiasm from the community of South East London almost drove Woolwich Arsenal to bankruptcy and in 1910 the club was brought out by Sir Henry Norris. Norris tried to merge that club with Fulham but that was blocked by the Football League and eventually Woolwich Arsenal had to find a new home.

As well as moving to Highbury to 1913 Woolwich Arsenal were relegated back to the Second Division and in 1914 the Woolwich was dropped and the club simply became known as 'The Arsenal.' Arsenal were promoted back to the First Division in 1919 much to the disgust and annoyance of near neighbours Tottenham.

After the resumption of football following the First World War, the First Division was expanded from 20 teams to 22. At the time, new entrants were elected at an AGM of the Football League, rather than promoted automatically; one of the extra places went to 19th-placed Chelsea, who were saved from expected relegation.

The other place could have gone to 20th-placed Tottenham, or to Barnsley or Wolves, who had finished third and fourth in the Second Division respectively. The League decided instead to promote The Arsenal, who had come fifth in the Second Division, for reasons of history over current merit. It has been alleged that this was due to backroom deals or even outright bribery by Sir Henry Norris, although no firm proof has ever come to light; though as a footnote, Norris left the club in 1929 after being found guilty by the FA of financial irregularities.

Arsenal have remained in the top division since then, and as a result hold the English record for the longest unbroken stretch of top-flight football.

One record that Chelsea has over Arsenal was inflicting their biggest League Cup defeat back on 11th December 1999 at Highbury where Chelsea won 5-0.

David O'Leary is Arsenal's All-Time Player with most appearances with a total of 722

As it stands at least for the next couple of weeks, Ian Wright is Arsenal's All-Time Top Scorer with 185 goals. Thierry Henry is currently on 182 goals.

Arsenal has been League Champions 13 times. The last being 2004 when they finished 11 points clear of second place Chelsea.

Arsenal has won the FA Cup 10 times and are the current holders.

Arsenal has twice won the League Cup

In 1970 Arsenal won the old Fairs Cup and in 1994 Arsenal won the now defunct European Cup Winners Cup.

In 1971 Arsenal became the 4th team to win the 'double.'. It was at Tottenham's White Hart Lane Ground where the League Championship was won and a few days later the Cup was won at Wembley with Arsenal legend Charlie George scoring one of Wembley's All-Time Greatest Goal. (Other double winners prior to Arsenal were Preston North End in 1889, Aston Villa 1897, Tottenham 1961 and clubs that have won the 'Double' since Arsenal were Liverpool 1986 and Man Utd 1994, 1996, 1999).

Head to Head at Stamford Bridge - 76 matches played

Chelsea won 25

Arsenal won 24

Drawn 27

Goals

Chelsea 94

Arsenal 100

Chelsea has been victorious over Arsenal in the last couple of years. First there was that momentous night at Highbury in the Champions League Quarter-Final. Chelsea winning 2-1 (3-2 on agg). And only a couple of weeks ago Chelsea won the Community Shield in Cardiff by the same score.

Last season's League encounters both ended in draws. 2-2 at Highbury and 0-0 at Stamford Bridge.