Why Arsenal are called the Gunners

Arsenal Football Club is one of the most famous teams covered by Metaverse Football Club, but many fans wonder: why are Arsenal called "The Gunners"? The famous moniker comes directly from the club's military roots in late 19th-century London.

The Origins of Dial Square

In 1886, a group of workers at the Royal Arsenal armaments factory in Woolwich, South-East London, decided to form a football team. They initially named themselves Dial Square, after a workshop inside the factory complex that manufactured munitions, artillery, and explosive weaponry for the British military.

Becoming the Gunners

Because the club was founded by factory workers who manufactured military weapons—specifically cannons—the team naturally adopted military-themed nicknames. They were commonly referred to as "The Woolwich Arsenal," "The Royal Gunners," and eventually, simply, "The Gunners."

Key milestones in their visual identity include:

• 1888 Crest: The club's original logo featured three vertical cannons, acknowledging the Borough of Woolwich's military heritage.
• 1913 Relocation: When the team moved north to Highbury, they dropped "Woolwich" from their name but kept the iconic nickname and cannon identity.
• Modern Identity: To this day, a single gold cannon remains the central feature of Arsenal's official crest.

Though Arsenal left Woolwich over a century ago, the moniker "Gunners" remains a proud homage to the factory workers who started the club. At Metaverse Football Club, we love uncovering stories like this — and you can predict Arsenal's next match right here on Metaverse Football Club.