Data compiled by Tony Attwood. Details of some of our special reports and investigations into Arsenal’s history are given on the home page.
Today’s headline comes from 1891
23 May 1891: The first press report emerged of the AGM of Royal Arsenal wherein professionalism was proposed. This was to make Arsenal the first fully professional team in the south (although Luton paid a few of their team earlier in the year).
23 May 1918: Dennis Compton born. Denis was a cricketer who played football, in contrast to his brother who was a footballer who played cricket. Both played for Arsenal.
23 May 1923: SK Lyn Oslo 0 Arsenal 0. Joe Shaw, one of the most important men in Arsenal’s history, who later won the league as Arsenal manager, made his final appearance as player, moving on to become manager of Arsenal Youth Team and then Arsenal Reserves. He played 309 league and 17 cup games.
23 May 1948 Archie Macaulay won the last of seven caps for Scotland. He continued to play for Arsenal until 1950 when he moved on to Fulham.
23 May 1973: Having finished second in the league Arsenal played two overseas friendlies, of which this was the first. Toronto Select 0 Arsenal 1 (George scored).
23 May 1998: Arsenal recording of “Hot Stuff” entered the top 10.
23 May, 2006. Tomas Rosicky transferred from Borussia Dortmund for £6.8m. See also here. Despite numerous injuries he went on to play over 160 times for Arsenal and become captain of his country.
23 May 2011: Ex Arsenal man John Jenson was given a new contract as assistant manager at Blackburn, a club that appeared to be in permanent turmoil after being taken over by a family that seemed to have little knowledge of football. He was sacked after four months.
23 May 2018: Arsenal signed Karl Jakob Hein from Nõmme United as a goalkeeper in the Academy, on a free transfer.
23 May 2018: Arsenal post “Welcome Unai” notice on their website to welcome the new manager, announce that Asano is to join Hanover 96 on loan and announce partnership with Visit Rwanda.
23 May 2021: Arsenal v Brighton was the first ever league match played by Arsenal on this day. Arsenal won it to make that five successive wins in the league after five games without a win to end the season. Previously four friendlies had been played on 23 May, against SK Lyn in 1923 (0-0), the RAF in 1942 (1-1) Japan XI in 1968 (won 3-1) and Toronto Select (won 1-0) in 197.
23 May 2023: Arsenal confirm that Saka had signed a new contract extension.
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