They became the first southern member[nb 1] admitted into the Football League in 1893, having spent their first four seasons solely participating in cup tournaments and friendlies.
[6] Since that time, they have not fallen below the first tier of the English football league system and hold the record for the longest uninterrupted period in the top flight.
[7] The club's first team have competed in numerous nationally and internationally organised competitions, and all players who have played between 25 and 99 such matches, either as a member of the starting eleven or as a substitute, are listed below.
[8] The first player capped at full international level while with Arsenal was Caesar Jenkyns, when he appeared for Wales against Scotland on 21 March 1896.
[9] Bernard Joy moved into journalism following his football career, and authored the club's first detailed history book, Forward, Arsenal!