Arsenal is one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in the world but do you know what the fans call themselves?
The club has been in existence since 1886 and has a very rich history in terms of the club, players and even the fans – to the extent that the Arsenal fans have a name for themselves.
So, what do Arsenal fans call themselves? Arsenal fans commonly refer to themselves as “Gooners.” The term “Gooner” is derived from the club’s nickname, “The Gunners,” which stems from the club.
The term “Gooner” is a popular self-identification among Arsenal fans and is widely used within the fanbase. It is believed to have originated in the 1980s, although its exact origins are not clear.
The term “Gooner” has since been embraced by Arsenal supporters worldwide and has become a widely recognized identifier for fans of the club. It is commonly used in fan chants, social media discussions, and general conversations among Arsenal supporters to refer to themselves and express their allegiance to the club.
Hooliganism was persistent in English football in the 1970s when each club had one firm but the lousy nature of Arsenal’s firm made them to be referred to as goons. Hence, the name Gooners.
The name was formed by rival supporters and was used as a way to insult Arsenal fans but since then, it’s been gotten used by all Arsenal supporters and their fans all over the globe bear the name without any shame.
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Why Are Arsenal Called The Gunners?
Arsenal was formed in 1886 by factory workers in Woolwich, London. After it was formed, it was initially given the name, Dial Square, which was named after a factory workshop.
In the factory, they produced ammunition such as artillery and guns which warranted the nickname The Gunners.
They began competing in local tournaments and started gaining fans from around the country.
In 1888, Arsenal released its first logo, which was the same as the crest of the Metropolitan Borough of their local town, Woolwich and since then, the logo has changed 11 times with the current one formed in 2002.
The term “Gunners” was so significant in the club that it was included at the top of the crest in 1994 but was removed in 2001.
The iconic Cannon symbol was introduced to the logo for the first time in 1992 which symbolized the weapon manufacturing profession which it all started and since then, the Cannon has been present in every version of the Arsenal’s logo.
Although “Gunners” has been removed from the logo, the Canon remains due to its significance and could remain for the longest time.
After ascertaining how the club came up with the name “Gunners” let us now see what Arsenal fans call themselves.
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Is the Name fitting for Arsenal fans?
The name “Gooner” is fitting to Arsenal fans because it captures their strong affiliation and support for Arsenal Football Club. The term has been embraced by the fanbase and has become a symbol of pride and camaraderie among Arsenal supporters.
The name “Gooner” not only references the club’s nickname, “The Gunners,” but also signifies the fans’ dedication and passion for their team. It has become a unifying term that distinguishes Arsenal fans from supporters of other clubs.
Furthermore, the term “Gooner” has become deeply ingrained in Arsenal’s fan culture, with fans proudly identifying themselves as Gooners and using the term to create a sense of community and shared experiences. It has become an integral part of Arsenal’s identity and is recognized both within and outside the football world.
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Would Arsenal Fans Ever Change Their Nicknames?
While fan nicknames can evolve or change over time, it would be unlikely for Arsenal fans to completely abandon the term “Gooner” as their nickname. The term has deep roots within the Arsenal fan culture and has been embraced by supporters for several decades. It has become a central identifier for Arsenal fans and is recognized both within and outside the football community.
Fan nicknames often carry sentimental value and a sense of tradition, representing the history and heritage of a fanbase. Therefore, it would require a significant shift or a compelling reason for Arsenal fans to adopt a new nickname. However, it’s worth noting that fan culture is dynamic, and new trends or terms may emerge within the fanbase over time.
That being said, while it’s not impossible for fan nicknames to change, it would take a substantial shift in fan sentiment or a significant event to lead to the widespread adoption of a new nickname among Arsenal supporters.
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Conclusion
Arsenal is one of the very few football clubs whose fan base has a name for themselves but the history of how Arsenal’s fans’ names came about is quite a significant one.
Just to point out again, Arsenal fans call themselves “Gooners”.
Despite the club being nicknamed Gunners and the fans, Gooners, the fans can also be identified as Gunners as well.
