Arsenal FC: 10 Men Who Made the Club What It Is Today

Arsenal FC is where it is today because of significant contributions by a certain group of men.

While the players on the field may get most of the credit, they couldn't have been a part of this special club without the men behind the scenes.

Some of these men are more at the forefront than others—like the managers—but they have all helped shaped the club into the one we know today.

From the days of Dial Square up until this very moment, 10 men stand out as visionaries, pioneers and men of Arsenal.

Without further ado, click through the slides to find out the 10 men who made Arsenal what it is today.

David Danskin

Okay, this may be a bit too easy and straightforward, but you can't have the club without the person(s) who started it right?

David Danskin was a major part of the group of men who started it all. He worked at the Arsenal munitions factory in Woolwich, and his love of football led to the birth of this club.

Danskin and a group of friends came together—with their own money—to form a team in October 1886. They were joined by a group of players from Nottingham Forest, who subsequently gave the team the soon-to-be famous red tops.

The team started off with the name Dial Square, and in its first game beat the Eastern Wanderers 6-0. After some consideration, the men changed the team's name to Royal Arsenal, a name comprised of the pub where they were at the time, and their workplace.

Danskin and his friends may have started the club for social and health purposes, but it has become so much more.

Henry Norris

In 1913, after having recently taken charge, Henry Norris—who had high ambitions for the club—decided it was necessary for the team to move its location if it wanted to expand. A search ensued, and Highbury was located.

With this new move, there was also a final name change. From Dial Square, to Royal Arsenal, to Woolwich Arsenal, and finally, Arsenal FC was born.

With football set to resume after World War I, Arsenal was still in the Second Division following a fifth-place finish in the last season before the war. It is rumored that Norris somehow influenced the league chairman and current Liverpool owner John McKenna into advocating a move for Arsenal into the top division in 1919.

After a speech by McKenna, a vote was completed and Arsenal gained entry to the top division on the premise that they had been members of the Football League long before their rivals Tottenham. Of course, to make matters more interesting, Arsenal was sent in place of Tottenham.

In his last significant contribution to the club, Henry Norris appointed former Huddersfield manager Herbert Chapman as the club manager in 1925. Chapman's accomplishments speak for themselves.

Herbert Chapman

Herbert Chapman was instrumental in turning Arsenal into a force in English football.

The first five years of his tenure were spent honing the famed WM formation and bringing in players like Alex James and Cliff Bastin. During that time, Chapman guided the Gunners to second place—the team's highest finish yet—and a place in the FA Cup final, a game which the team unfortunately lost to Cardiff City.

The 1930 FA Cup victory over his former team Huddersfield kicked off a period of dominance for the Gunners. The league title was captured in the next season and, even without a trophy in the 1931-32 season, Arsenal still managed to consistently stay at the top with another second place finish and a place in the FA Cup final.

Chapman eventually died in tragic circumstances, but not before regaining the league title in the 1932-33 season and setting a solid foundation for the Gunners. Through the rest of the decade, the team went on to win three more league titles and a second FA Cup, thanks mainly to the initial work by Chapman.

The former Arsenal manager also influenced things off the pitch, as he was said to have been instrumental in the creation of the now famous red shirt and white sleeves look that Arsenal has, and other things such as the Highbury Clock and re-naming the nearby Underground station to Arsenal.

George Allison

George Allison may have had it easy, taking charge of the team that Herbert Chapman built, but every man still has to make his own success.

Allison led the Gunners to two league titles and an FA Cup, continuing a period of dominance that was ended by World War II. His first title was the third successive one for the Gunners during the middle of the 1930's.

Allison did not contain a great deal of knowledge about the game—considering his background—and while footballing duties were the duty of Joe Shaw and his assistant Tom Whitaker, Allison used his past profession to become a club figurehead during that time.

Tom Whitaker

Tom Whitaker assisted George Allison for some time, and eventually took the reins after World War II.

Whitaker continued the successes of his predecessors, and led the club to two league titles and an FA Cup during his tenure.

Whitaker's accomplishments ensured that the club remained in the upper echelon of English football after another break in competitive play, and his last title—the league trophy in 1953—was Arsenal's last piece of silverware for 17 years.

Bertie Mee

Bertie Mee took charge of the Arsenal first team in 1966, having just led the youth team to FA Youth Cup trophy. He brought in the likes of Pat Rice and Charlie George, and even though his success was not immediate, he had the Arsenal squad competing for trophies again with two consecutive trips to the League Cup finals.

Mee eventually brought silverware back to the North London club when he guided the team to its first European Trophy, the Fairs Cup, in 1970. The success continued the next season with a triumphant league and FA Cup double which helped the club regain some of its status.

The length of Mee's successes may not have been similar to some of his compatriots, but he brought a spark back to Highbury.

George Graham

George Graham brought Arsenal six trophies during his time at Highbury.

Graham built his success around a defense led by Tony Adams, and during his tenure he brought in players like Lee Dixon, David Seaman and Ian Wright. During his tenure he revitalized the club and returned it to winning ways, becoming the first club to win both the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993.

The foundation Graham put in place was built upon by his current predecessor Arsene Wenger, but had it not been for him, Arsenal may not be where they are today.

Danny Fiszman

Danny Fiszman was a successful businessman and integral part of the club during his time. Fiszman was the driving force behind the Emirates stadium project alongside Managing Director Ken Friar.

David Dein

David Dein was an integral part of the behind-the-scenes action at Arsenal. He was the man that suggested Arsene Wenger to his colleagues.

Dein was a president of the Arsenal Ladies' Football club, and played a part in Arsenal's inclusion in the now disbanded G-14 group.

Most notably, Dein was instrumental in helping managers bring in a number of key players. During George Graham's reign he helped secure Ian Wright and Dennis Bergkamp, and he made sure that Arsene Wenger got his wishes with the likes of Patrick Viera, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Sol Campbell to name a few.

Alongside Wenger, he helped transform the club to where it is today.

Arsene Wenger

Over 15 years ago Arsene Wenger was pronounced as the new manager of Arsenal. Wenger brought with him new tactics, diets and training regimens that helped transform the team both on and off the pitch.

Wenger did not necessarily have a team that was down in the dumps, as they were only about a year removed from Graham's tenure, but he built on their previous successes and made them his own.

It is common knowledge that Wenger has created many top talents during his time in charge, and he continues to look to do so. He was aware of the need for a new stadium and the facilities that came with it to help his teams reach their full potential.

All his hard work has so far led to three league titles, four FA cups and a consistency that has generally been unmatched by many of his predecessors.