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.

In Their Own Story

On 25 February 2022, Louis Dunford released 'The Angel' through his own YouTube channel in a music video directed by Oscar J. Ryan. The song was dedicated explicitly to Islington and Arsenal FC, reflecting Dunford's deep roots as a lifelong supporter. Two months later, the track resonated deeply with the fanbase online, eventually catching the attention of manager Mikel Arteta. Arteta invited Dunford to visit the club's training ground, bridging the gap between the artist and the team. The emotional peak arrived on 8 May 2022 at the Emirates Stadium during a match against Leeds United. As guests in a special box with his family, Dunford watched as thousands of fans lifted their voices in unison while the players warmed up. Arteta noted that the dressing room heard the song before kick-off, creating a unique emotional link for the team. Following this success, Dunford appeared in the final episode of the Amazon Original docuseries All or Nothing: Arsenal.

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.

Did You Know?

• The song was released on 25 February 2022 as the second single from Louis Dunford's EP, The Popham.
• Mikel Arteta invited Dunford to the training ground after hearing the track shared by fans online.
• On 8 May 2022, thousands of fans sang the chorus while players were warming up against Leeds United.
• Dunford appeared in the final episode of the Amazon Original series 'All or Nothing: Arsenal' following the song's success.