North London Forever

Lore & Background

The song's journey from a personal project to a club anthem began two months after its release when it gained traction on social media among Arsenal supporters. Its reach extended to manager Mikel Arteta, who sought to capture the club's spirit and invited Dunford to the training ground to meet the players. The defining moment occurred on 8 May 2022, when Dunford attended a Premier League match against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium as a special guest with his family and friends.

While the players were warming up, thousands of fans spontaneously began singing the chorus. Arteta later described the impact in a post-match interview, stating, 'It was really emotional... hearing the song with the spirit and the emotion that they did, it was unique. I have never experienced that here.' Since that match, the track has been regarded as Arsenal's anthem and is played before every home game at the Emirates.

Reader's Guide

Fans seeking to experience 'The Angel' can attend any home game at the Emirates Stadium, where the song is now played before every match as the club's official anthem. To witness the tradition firsthand, supporters should arrive early enough to hear the chorus sung by thousands of fans while players warm up on the pitch. The track serves as a modern link between the club and its Islington roots, having been written by a local artist specifically for his community. For those interested in the behind-the-scenes story of this adoption, the final episode of 'All or Nothing: Arsenal' features Dunford's journey from writing the song to meeting the squad.