It’s not the only station in London which shares its name with a local club
Regular London Underground users hop on and off at stations without giving it a second thought but for those not so familiar with the network there are many oddities on the Tube map. Among them is Arsenal station in Zone 2, sitting on the Piccadilly Line between Holloway Road and Finsbury Park.
It’s not exactly great for logic and reason – the station’s 13 miles away from its geographical namesake. The explanation behind the station’s name is linked with the history of its local football club, Arsenal FC.
It was actually originally called Woolwich Arsenal in the 19th century after the original players’ workplace, the Arsenal munitions factory in Woolwich, South East London. But in 1913 the club was shifted to North London out of financial necessity and they became simply Arsenal and have kept the name since as recognition of its past.
To make things more confusing, back in 1932 nearby station Gillespie Road was renamed after the local team that played at the nearby Highbury Stadium. It was called Arsenal (Hillbury Hill), later Arsenal, though the original name is still printed on the station’s tiles.
But after Arsenal FC moved to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, the old Highbury stadium was redeveloped into flats. Half of these still incorporate the east and west stands with residents using the old turnstiles to enter the buildings.
The move means Arsenal station is not even the nearest station to the club with Highbury & Islington being closer. And if that wasn’t bad enough, South London has a Woolwich Arsenal station, which sits on the DLR, Southeastern and Thameslink lines. But it’s not the only station which shares its name with a local club. Other stations include West Ham, and Wimbledon.
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