The A-Z Of...Arsenal FC

Barney Corkhill continues his A-Z series, this time giving an A-Z of Arsenal.

In this series I will go through every letter of the alphabet and link that letter with something to do with the topic.

Here we go!

A - Arsene Wenger

"The Professor" has been in charge of Arsenal for 12 years now, and has developed them into a team challenging for honours on all fronts. He is one of the shrewdest ever in the transfer market.

B - Bergkamp, Dennis

Class. Just pure class. His football left many mouths agape, and many defenders in awe. Who could forget his goals against Leicester and Newcastle?

C - Chapman, Herbert

Many older fans consider Chapman to be the best manager the club ever had. He joined in 1925, and brought success in the form of an FA Cup and two league titles to a previously trophy-less club. His sudden death in 1934 prevented him from seeing the team he built go on to win five more league titles in the 30s.

D - Dial Square

The original name of Arsenal. Thankfully, they soon realised a different name would be better, and changed it to Royal Arsenal, which later became Woolwich Arsenal, and then just Arsenal.

E - Emirates Stadium

Arsenal's current home. The brand new stadium took over from the legendary Highbury back in 2006.

F - Fabregas, Cesc

Arsenal's youngest ever player, and youngest ever scorer, Fabregas has already secured cult hero status, and is well on the way to legendary status and breaking almost every record Arsenal have.

G - Gunners

The nickname of Arsenal, referring to the cannon on the club's badge.

H - Henry, Thierry

A modern day Arsenal great. He broke all goalscoring records, becoming one of the best and most exciting player not only Arsenal, but the Premier League has ever seen.

I - Invincibles

The 2003-04 season was a special one for Arsenal fans. They became the first Premier League team to remain unbeaten for a whole season. The group of players who achieved this feat were known as the "Invincibles".

J - James, Alex

The main cog in Herbert Chapman's highly effective machine, Alex James is one of the greatest players to have played for the club. His inside-forward skills were among the best in the world.

K - Kolo Toure

Arsenal's current highest appearance maker, and a player who has been a rock at the back for them for many years now.

L - Lee Dixon

Arsenal's fourth highest appearance maker ever, Lee Dixon dominated their right back slot for years. He was part of the great all-English Arsenal defence of the 90s.

M - Martin Keown

Another member of that great defence, but this time a centre-back. Martin Keown will be remembered fondly by Arsenal fans, perhaps not so by Ruud van Nistelrooy.

N - Nigel Winterburn

Yet another member of the great defence. The left-back Winterburn is Arsenal's fifth highest appearance maker ever, playing nearly 600 games for the club.

O - O'Leary, David

Arsenal's highest ever appearance maker. The tall Irish centre-back was a fixture in the Arsenal side for the best part of 20 years, making 722 appearances, 558 of which were in the league.

P - Premier League

The second most successful club in the Premier League era. Arsenal's three Premier League crowns included two doubles, and the Invincible season.

Q - Quality

Nowadays, Arsenal are known for the quality of their football. Often playing the most beautiful football in the league, they have even been criticised for being too intricate, and trying to walk the ball into the net.

R - Rice, Pat

A man who has been associated with the club for 40 years. First it was as a player, then Youth Team coach, and now Assistant Manager. He has had some spells as caretaker manager with the club as well.

S - Seaman, David

No other man has kept goal more times for Arsenal than David Seaman, who showcased both his brilliant and not-so-brilliant sides throughout his 564 Gunners appearances.

T - Tony Adams

Regarded to some as the club's greatest ever player, and to more as their greatest ever captain. Adams guided the successful Arsenal team of the 90's, including the great defence, and is the club's second highest appearance maker.

U - Unbeaten run

Arsenal's 49 game unbeaten run remains the English record. Had it not been for Man United ending the run on the potential 50, it could have been much greater.

V - Vieira, Patrick

Another talismanic captain for the North London club. Patrick Vieira led Arsenal on a collision course with anyone and everyone, most notably Roy Keane and Manchester United. He was the captain for the invincible season.

W - Wright, Ian

Until Henry came along, Wright was the greatest goal-scorer in the club's history. Ian Wright remains one of the best finishers the club has seen.

X - XI

Arsenal's first 11 (XI) has sparked much debate, especially recently with the increased inclusion of youngsters. They also regularly put out a largely different XI for the Carling, and sometimes even FA Cups. (Expect a few A-Z's to have "X" as XI, as I finally found an "X" with something to do with football!)

Y - Youngsters

Arsene Wenger has been known to give youngsters a chance. This season's squad is a fine example. He also has a knack for creating superstars out of average players, from Thierry Henry to the potentially great Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas.

Z - Zero

I was struggling for "Z" again but I settled on zero—which is the amount of years Arsenal have been out of the top flight since the 20s. No other team has spent more consecutive seasons in the top flight.

So there you have your latest A-Z of the series! I hope you enjoyed it!