They are considered one of the best and most successful football clubs in the country, and are nicknamed "Singo Edan" ('The Mad Lions' in Javanese).

According to the folklore song of Panji Wijayakrama, Kebo Arema quashed a revolt by Kelana Bhayangkara until all the rebels were crushed like leaves eaten by caterpillars.

Together with Mahisa Anengah, Kebo Arema conquered the Pamalayu Kingdom on Sumatra island centered in what is now known as Jambi province in order to have access to the Malacca Strait.

The Arema subculture has distinct identities, symbols and even languages that differentiates it from the main culture in the East Java province.

Arema was established during the peak of this subculture, on 11 August 1987, with a goal of developing professional football club in Malang.

Because its establishment was during the horoscope period of Leo, Arema chose the symbol of the lion, or singo (in Javanese language), which also constitutes the front part of the Singhasari or Singosari kingdom's name.

Arema tried to convince players of existing clubs to join, including Maryanto from Persema, Kusnadi Kamaludin from Armada, Mahdi Haris from Arseto, Jamrawi and Yohanes Geohera from Mitra Surabaya and goalkeeper Dony Latuperisa who was then undergoing PSSI suspension.

For their first accommodation, Arema players used military barracks provided by the air force at Malang's Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport.

At that time, the players included Indonesia national football team regulars Aji Santoso, Mecky Tata, Singgih Pitono and Jamrawi.

This led to the management being handed over to the cigarette manufacturing company Bentoel Group, which runs a factory near Malang, in the middle of the 2003 season.

In 2006 and 2007, Arema and its coach Benny Dollo received awards from Tabloid Bola, Indonesia's leading sports publication.

[3] The release was also a by-product of the sale of majority shares owned by the Bentoel Group to the British American Tobacco (BAT).

[4] Arema had a knack of coming back stronger after taking a hit, which endears it to its loyal band of supporters who accompany the team wherever they go.

[citation needed] Prior to the 2017 season, the club changed its name again from to Arema FC amid fan protests.

[10] In the 2018 Liga 1 season, Arema performed poorly at the start, with only one win from the first 6 matches, leading to the sacking of Joko Susilo.

The performance of Singo Edan's squad in the season was good at the beginning, but continued to decline at the end of the competition.

[10] The change in the composition of the players was quite extreme and Arema welcomed the 2020 Liga 1 season with the entry of the former coach of Borneo F.C., Mario Gómez.

[18] On 29 October 2022, Gilang and Ali Rifki publicly declared his resignation from the board management of Arema FC.

[21] On 1 October 2022, in the Super East Java derby between Arema and Persebaya Surabaya, there was a crowd crush after the match due to the police over-using tear gas.

[29] Aremania have a very strong rivalry with supporters of Persebaya Surabaya, who are known as Bonek during games between the two sides, which is known as the Super East Java derby.

[30][31] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.