Good Old Arsenal

Lore & Background

The creation of 'Good Old Arsenal' began when ITV held a competition for fans to write an anthem, but none were selected because candidates were deemed 'too wordy'. Football pundit Jimmy Hill then approached manager Bertie Mee for permission to write his own. Hill composed the lyrics to the tune of 'Rule, Britannia!', and the song was performed by Arsenal's first team squad for the 1971 FA Cup Final. Initially, the track faced resistance from some fans who found it bland and predictable. However, younger supporters quickly embraced it for being easy to learn. The turning point arrived after Arsenal won the final, securing the second part of their historic double. Following this victory, 'Good Old Arsenal' gained widespread acceptance, evolving into a classic football song still sung by supporters today.

In Their Own Story

In May 1971, the single entered the UK Singles Charts and remained there for seven weeks, eventually peaking at number 16. The journey of the song mirrored the team's own dramatic season; it was released as an anthem for a final that had yet to be played. When Arsenal secured their victory in that final, completing the double, the reception of the record shifted instantly from mixed reviews to universal popularity. The specific tune borrowed from 'Rule, Britannia!' proved enduring, allowing the first team squad's performance to transcend its initial criticism. This period established a unique precedent where a football squad, rather than an external artist, released a charting single tied directly to their cup run.

Reader's Guide

For fans seeking to understand the history of this record, the key dates are 1970 for the inspiration from 'Back Home' and May 1971 for the release of the single. The song's highest chart position was number 16, a fact confirmed by its seven-week run on the charts. Listeners should note that the performance was executed by the first team squad specifically for the 1971 FA Cup Final. The lyrical content, written by Jimmy Hill, was intentionally set to the melody of 'Rule, Britannia!' after fan submissions were rejected for being too wordy. This specific combination of events—the manager's permission, the pundit's writing, and the squad's performance—created a unique moment in football music history that remains a classic.

Did You Know?

• The song was written by football pundit Jimmy Hill after fan entries were rejected for being 'too wordy'.
• It was performed by the Arsenal first team squad specifically for the 1971 FA Cup Final.
• The single remained in the UK Singles Chart for exactly seven weeks, peaking at number 16.
• Some fans initially disliked the song, finding it bland and predictable before the team won the final.
• It was the first record ever released by a football squad to commemorate reaching an FA Cup Final.