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When it comes to football clubs with a rich history, few are as iconic as Arsenal FC. From their stylish brand of football to their revolutionary manager Arsène Wenger, the Gunners have always been at the forefront of the footballing world.

But one aspect that often goes overlooked is their logo. The famous cannon emblem is instantly recognisable around the world, but the story behind its creation is lesser-known. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the history of the Arsenal logo, the reasons behind its design choices, and what it represents for the club today.

The Early Years

Arsenal FC was originally founded in 1886 as Dial Square, a name that reflected the military origins of its founders. As such, the club’s first logo was a cannon with the words “Dial Square” inscribed on a scroll beneath.

However, this was short-lived. When the club changed its name to Royal Arsenal in 1891, the logo was adjusted accordingly. The cannon was now positioned behind a set of crossed cannons, with the word “Arsenal” in a stylised font above.

The design remained largely consistent until 1922, when the club decided to modernise its image. The new logo featured a sleeker cannon with the letters “AFC” inscribed on a shield below. This was a nod to the club’s recent decision to go professional, marking a new era in their history.

The Canon Returns

Despite its modern look, the 1922 logo was relatively short-lived. In 1936, Arsenal once again decided to rebrand their image, this time turning back to their old friend: the cannon.

The updated design was created by club director Guy Dawber, who opted for a more detailed and realistic depiction of the weapon. The cannon was now surrounded by a laurel wreath, denoting victory and achievement, while the word “Arsenal” was written in bold letters above.

This logo would remain largely unchanged for the next few decades, becoming synonymous with the club’s success on both domestic and international stages. In 1967, Arsenal won their first European trophy, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, which was celebrated with a special version of the logo featuring a star above the cannon.

Modernisation and Adaptation

Despite the success of the cannon logo, the 1990s saw Arsenal once again looking to modernise their image. The club turned to graphic design guru Peter Saville, who was tasked with creating a new emblem that would present Arsenal as a more contemporary and forward-thinking club.

The result was revealed in 1996 and caused quite a stir among fans. The new logo saw the cannon reduced to a stylised silhouette, with the letters “AFC” inscribed in an asymmetrical font. Many fans were unhappy with the new design, feeling that it lacked the traditional values of the club.

However, over time the design grew on fans and the club itself, becoming a symbol of the team’s recent successes under manager Arsène Wenger. In 2002, a variant of the logo was produced to commemorate the team’s triumph in the FA Cup and Premier League double, featuring the dates of both victories below the emblem.

Back to Basics

The 2000s were a period of change for Arsenal, with the team moving to a new stadium and experiencing a drought in terms of major trophies. As such, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the club once again returned to their roots in 2019 when unveiling a new version of their logo.

The new design saw a return to the solid red background of the original cannon logo, with a simplified cannon placed in front. The letters “AFC” were once again removed, emphasising the strength and simplicity of the design.

So, there we have it. The history of the Arsenal logo is a journey through the club’s history, reflecting its values, identity, and success throughout the years. From the military origins of Dial Square to the modern, sleek designs of Saville, the cannon has remained a symbol of tradition and pride for Arsenal FC.

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