SPORT: 3 'KINGS' OF LONDON

Arsenal Football Club

Club Info

Ground: Emirates
Address: Arsenal Football Club, Arsenal Stadium, Avenell Road, Highbury, London N5 1BU

Background / History

Best supported club in the capital, Arsenal also have the proudest history.

Perhaps due to these two unavoidable facts, the North London giants were for a long time the most hated club in the land, attracting various uncomplimentary tags such as "Boring Arsenal" and "Lucky Arsenal" that date right back to the 1930s.

But the Devil has found a different tune in recent years thanks to French manager Arsene Wenger who has brought a new intelligence and grace to the Arsenal side.

Quick Fans Guide

Trademark Chant: One Nil To The Arsenal
Nickname: Gunners; Gooners
Sworn Enemy: Tottenham Hotspur
One word to the wise: Tradition
Insider info: Always call them The Arsenal, as against just Arsenal

Chelsea Football Club

Club Info

Ground: Stamford Bridge
Address: Fulham Road, London SW6 1HS

Background / History

Have always played up their trendy Kings Road address for all its worth in a bid to claim the title of Most Glamorous Club in London. The short-lived reign of Ruud Gullit gave renewed lustre to that image and when, in 1998, current boss Gianluca Vialli lifted the Coca Cola (now Worthington) Cup and European Cup Winners Cup Chelsea's position as the leading London rivals to Arsenal was confirmed. FA Cup success last term continued the generally upward trend.

Quick Fan Guide

Trademark Chant: One Man Went To Mow
Nickname: Blues
Sworn Enemy: Tottenham Hotspur (not really reciprocated)
One word to the wise: Swagger
Insider info: Talk about The Shed, a famous old piece of terracing as if you spent every Saturday afternoon of the 1970s there.

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club

Club Info

Ground: White Hart Lane
Address: Bill Nicholson Way, 748 High Road, London, N17 0AP

Background / History

While their bitter North London rivals Arsenal have often battered their way to the greater share of silverware down the ages, Tottenham fans pride themselves on following a club that wears its allegiance to elegant, passing football on its lillywhite sleeve.

That heritage is now in the balance with manager George Graham - once the main man at Arsenal - outraging many fans by selling David Ginola.

Quick Fans Guide

Trademark Chant: Come On You Spurs
Nickname: Spurs; Lillywhites
Sworn Enemy: Arsenal
One word to the wise: Fancydan
Insider info: It is apparently considered bad etiquette to chant at White Hart Lane unless Spurs have just scored.