Arsenal are having a fantastic 2023/24 season with Mikel Arteta’s team leading the Premier League season and advancing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Their impressive home form has been a key factor in their success this season, with the Emirates Stadium becoming one of the most challenging venues in all of Europe.
In addition to the already loud atmosphere at the Emirates, the song 'North London Foreover' is sung before each game, adding to the excitement of Arsenal matchdays.
So, what is the history behind the song and what are the lyrics?
What is the story behind Arsenal’s ‘North London Forever’ pre-match song?
The Angel (North London Forever) was written by English singer Louis Dunford, and was released by RCA Records as the second single from his second EP, The Popham, in February 2022.
Dunford, who was born and raised in north London and is a lifelong Arsenal fan, wrote the song as a tribute to Islington as well as to his family and friends who live in his hometown.
Two months after the song was released, the tune was picked up by Arsenal’s fanbase. News of the new release even reached as far as Arteta, who subsequently invited Dunford to the club’s training ground to greet the squad.
Dunford was then invited as a guest of honour to Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Leeds in May 2022, during which the home fans sang the chorus as the players were warming up.
Discussing the song after the game, Arteta said: ‘Wow. It was really emotional, you know?
‘I think there is a link with the way the team started because they were making comments in the dressing room, hearing the song with the spirit and the emotion that they did, it was unique.
‘I have never experienced that here, it was the first time and I really enjoyed it and I hope that the fans enjoyed it too.’
Since then, ‘North London Forever’ has been sung at every Arsenal home game and has firmly established itself as a club anthem.
What are the lyrics to ‘North London Forever’?
North London forever
Whatever the weather
These streets are our own
And my heart will leave you never
My blood will forever
Run through the stone
