Arsenal

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos about why you fell in love with Arsenal.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Caplan: When I was young, my friends and I used to climb on to roofs of terraced houses to watch the game. One Saturday, I got too emotional up there and lost my footing, sliding off into a lady's back garden. I broke my arm and got a massive telling off from my dad, who had to come and get me from the hospital, but nothing will ever take away the amazing feeling I had from watching the Gunners beat Manchester United at the old ground. Now I'm a pensioner who has given my grandkids that love for Arsenal.

Send us your pictures and stories here

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice has been named as one of 30 Ballon d'Or nominees.

Rice made 52 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal last season, scoring nine and assisting 10.

The winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or, along with the other prizes, will be announced on 22 September 2025 during a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in central Paris.

Alongside Rice, David Raya was nominated for the 2025 Yashin Trophy, which is for the best goalkeeper.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was also nominated for the 2025 Kopa Trophy, presented to the best under-21 men's footballer.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Arsenal's penultimate pre-season match against Villarreal.

Here are some of your comments:

Darren: I know it's early days but I just can't get excited just yet. We are overplaying the ball far too much as always and lacking ideas. It seems no-one (except Max Dowman who was brilliant again) seems to have any forward drive. Just the same old Arsenal playing the same old way but with some new faces. I hope I am proven wrong.

Kenan: It's a normal process of team bonding. Once that cohesion and understanding is established, Arsenal will be fine. I actually like some flashes of what I saw.

Evan: Very worrying performance. Looked so open through the middle in defence, especially in transition. Created so many opportunities down the sides, which we were meant to start converting 'once we signed a proper striker'. I think those slating Kai Havertz might quickly start to see the benefits he brings to our attack off the ball, as Viktor Gyokores hasn't offered much in his two appearances so far.

Will: Some fans are going to start complaining, but this is a pre-season to work out all the kinks. Yes, our defending was shoddy today, but I believe we will hit the ground running against Manchester United. Noni Madueke showed glimpses of what he can do, which will hopefully shut a few haters up, and Dowman will definitely get some game time this season (even if it's in the cup). Gyokores showed a few flashes of brilliance, but he'll hopefully be up to speed soon.

Mervyn: Worrying - or encouraging - that the two best players in red and white out there were the youngest.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Danielle Sarver Coombs

When it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons.

In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play.

And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it.

"There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage," Sarver Coombs said.

"An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window.

"I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do.

"When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that.

"My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that."

A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs... It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'.

But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too.

"There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us," Sarver Coombs explains.

"Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am."

As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club?

"You always go through these cycles when the game is changing," Sarver Coombs said.

"Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens.

"People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward."

Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club.

And check out those from other Premier League teams over here

Arsenal and Tottenham are waiting for a signal from Brazil international Rodrygo, 24, before making a move for the Real Madrid forward. (TBR Football), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was only a pre-season friendly against Villarreal, yet there was still a feeling of excitement and anticipation heading to Emirates Stadium as Arsenal supporters looked to see new £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres in action.

Fans are desperately hoping the 27-year-old striker will be the missing piece whose arrival allows the Gunners to lift a trophy for the first time since 2020.

The loudest cheers before kick-off were for Gyokeres when his name was read out in the starting line-up. The only noise to rival it came for the introduction of talented 15-year-old Max Dowman.

There was expectation every time the ball went near the Sweden international and it looked as though his team-mates were also trying to make sure Gyokeres scored on his first start, and at his new home ground.

That did not happen but there were promising signs, and the hour Gyokeres played will be crucial to his fitness before Arsenal start the new Premier League season at Manchester United on Sunday, 17 August.

Read more here

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he is hoping to have Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard available for the pre-season match with Athletic Club on Saturday.

Havertz was not named in the squad for Wednesday's 3-2 defeat by Villarreal but Arteta is hopeful it is a minor issue.

"Yesterday in training he felt something and this morning he wasn't quite right, so we decided to rest him," he said.

"I think it's going to be a matter of a couple of days, hopefully the weekend, if everything goes to plan, I think he will be fit."

Trossard, Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes all picked up knocks on tour but Gabriel was fit enough to be introduced as a second-half substitute.

"Yes, the three that we lost during the tour, it was big Gabi, Leo and Ricky, and for Saturday I think both of them have a chance if everything in the next few days evolves in the way it has been evolving in the last few days," added Arteta.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal suffered a 3-2 friendly defeat by Villarreal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday as Viktor Gyokeres made his first start for the Gunners and 15-year-old Max Dowman impressed.

Nicolas Pepe put the La Liga side ahead - refusing to celebrate against his former club - before Etta Eyong's close-range effort doubled the lead.

Christian Norgaard got his first goal in Arsenal colours before half-time, but then Arnaut Danjuma broke away to stretch the visitors' advantage again.

A Martin Odegaard penalty - won by Dowman - completed the scoring.

What did you learn from Arsenal's penultimate pre-season friendly?

Get in touch with your views here

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Arsenal.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Petri: My sister worked as an au pair in southern London and her 'au-pair father' was able to get me a ticket on the Old Bank at Highbury against Blackburn. Patrick Vieira was injured/suspended but I still get to see Edu score an unbelievable own goal.

A great day ended in a central London pub, where an angry (and highly intoxicated) Polish West Ham fan forced me to take my Arsenal shirt off!

Send us your pictures and stories here

Opta's Supercomputer has once again predicted the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season by using a model to simulate every match 10,000 times.

Image source, Opta

Last season promised a thrilling title race between Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool - but in the end it was anything but.

Arne Slot was given just a 5.1% chance of winning the Premier League in his debut season, but expectations are far higher now.

Despite major changes - including the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz, and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota - Liverpool have rebuilt with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike.

The Opta supercomputer now makes them title favourites, winning in 28.5% of simulations.

Arsenal have finished runners-up for three straight seasons. This could be their moment, especially with Viktor Gyokeres finally giving Mikel Arteta a true number nine. Their title odds have nearly doubled to 24.3%, though another second-place finish remains the most likely outcome.

City were aiming for a historic fifth consecutive title but stumbled, largely due to Rodri's long-term injury. With him fit again, Pep Guardiola will demand a return to form. Their supercomputer-backed chances have dropped sharply this season however, - from 82.2% to just 18.8%.

Fresh off a Club World Cup win, Chelsea are aiming for their first league title since 2017. Enzo Maresca's young side has potential, but consistency is the big question.

They win the league in 8.8% of sims, with another fourth-place finish considered the most likely.

Read Opta's full Supercomputer breakdown here, external

Juventus are open to selling English centre-back Lloyd Kelly, 26, and regard Arsenal's Poland defender Jakub Kiwior, 25, as a potential replacement. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Arsenal and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

Here are some of your submissions:

Raj: When I was a kid, I was raised being told: "You are Bengali, but you are more Indian than Bangladeshi because we are Hindu." When I went to visit both countries, people said: "You aren't from here, you are English".

Football helped avoid the topic - and the best thing for me was finding another Arsenal fan. None of that mattered to them. Not race, not religion, not whether I prefer fish and chips or curry. We have both seen the Invincibles, we have both seen the 2006 Champions League final. The same highs and lows - nothing else mattered.

Arsenal gave me a group and a place to feel at home.

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is a candidate to return to his boyhood club as under-21s head coach.

The Gunners are in the process of replacing Mehmet Ali, who left the U21 role earlier this summer to join Brentford's senior coaching team under Keith Andrews, who replaced now Tottenham manager Thomas Frank.

Wilshere left Emirates Stadium, where he had been under-18s head coach, to take up the position of first-team coach at Championship side Norwich City.

Wilshere was later promoted into the position of interim head coach after Johannes Hoff Thorup left the Canaries in April, but then departed Carrow Road when Norwich appointed Liam Manning as their manager in June.

The 33-year-old former England international could now return to Arsenal, though sources insist no final decision has been made.

Wilshere came through the Gunners academy before making over 150 starts for the club and remains a fans' favourite.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Thomas Partey is set to join Villarreal following his release from Arsenal.

The Ghana midfielder left Emirates Stadium as a free agent earlier this summer after failing to agree a new contract with the Gunners.

Partey, 32, is understood to have agreed a two-year deal with the La Liga side.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

'Why did you fall in love with your club?'

This week, we have asked hundreds of football fans across the world that very question and got hundreds of different answers.

Yes, the themes might be similar - born near a ground; family supported the team; watched a certain player - but the individual story will be unique to each supporter.

The relationship between a fan and their club should not be underestimated, with people ploughing uncountable amounts of money, time and emotional energy into their support for their team.

But what is that makes us love our clubs the way we do?

"A lot of it comes down to our identity," researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs told BBC Sport.

"We become part of this group that means so much to us. It becomes a way to find a community that you're a part of and to find a group of people that, no matter where you are, you could find a pub with other fans of your team. You have that kinship.

"In a world that's increasingly quite lonely, this provides one of the ways that we can have connections so we can have the feeling that we're part of something bigger."

Connection and identity plays a big role in someone's love for their club - particularly when it is a family link.

Many fans talk of being born into who they support - that the connection is so strong there was no other team they could, or would, have chosen.

"The great thing with football is that there's such a strong heritage component to it," Sarver Coombs said. "Often, your grandfather, father, mother or whomever was a fan of the team, so it's part of your family's tradition.

"It's handed down from generation to generation."

The uniqueness of football fandom is something researchers are increasingly investigating.

An article, external published earlier this year in psychology journal Frontiers discusses how football fans often follow follow teams with 'significant attachment and commitment, sometimes to the bewilderment of those outside of the game'.

"With football clubs, you have decades of tradition that you can tap into and it's going to keep coming," Sarver Coombs added.

"Players come and go, managers come and go, shirts change, badges change, but the club itself - the heart and soul of it remains constant. You always have that piece that you're tied to, so the longevity of clubs is a really important part.

"But also, that constant in-person opportunity to be present in a community space really sets football apart from other passions that may be transient or do not have that constant engagement."

Share your story in our My Club My Passion campaign

Brazil winger Rodrygo, 24, wants to stay at Real Madrid amid interest from Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool. (AS - in Spanish), external

Stuttgart are working on a deal to sign 25-year-old Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira from Arsenal. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Porto were interested in Poland defender Jakub Kiwior, 25, but are unwilling to meet Arsenal's 30m euros (£26m) asking price. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal hold an interest in Rennes' young defender Jeremy Jacquet.

The France Under-21 international has been watched extensively by the Gunners and is positioned highly in the club's list of potential defensive reinforcements.

Sources have told BBC Sport not to rule out a swoop for the 20-year-old during this transfer window.

If a deal for Jacquet does not transpire ahead of the current deadline, Arsenal will continue to monitor the player's progress ahead of a possible future move.

Jacquet has played extensively for France's junior sides and is tipped to become a future full international.

The defender extended his contract with Rennes in May, with his existing deal due to expire in 2029.

Whether Arsenal formalise their interest in Jacquet may depend on whether the Gunners offload one of their existing defenders.

Oleksandr Zinchenko can leave the Emirates should a suitable offer arrive this summer while there is some interest in Jakub Kiwior.

Arsenal have already added six new players to their squad this summer with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres all arriving.

We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Arsenal and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Jeffrey: "What team do you support, Dad?" I asked when I was about seven years old in 1967. "Arsenal" was his reply, and so began my support which has spawned a family tradition in an emotional rollercoaster.

My most cherished memory is me, my Dad and my two sons witnessing the clinching of the 1998 title. My son John ran onto the pitch and was hoisted into the air by David Seaman in front of the North Bank. He bemoans to this day of having no photo of the moment as I was too wrapped up in the emotion to take a photo. Watching the celebrations at home, his mum was unaware that the junior Gunners scarf worn by Seaman during his interview was in fact her son's.

Emotional too after my Dad's passing, a tribute in the matchday programme and on the Emirates big screen and a cannon made up of a collage of supporters names who had passed away during the season. Arsenal showed their class by allowing his membership to be passed to my daughter, Claire, so we could continue to attend as a family.

Although much more difficult to get tickets these days, more memories are made as now my grandchildren join me. Arsenal has become part of our family tradition, and emotional attachment.

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