North London Forever chant, lyrics and story

Arsenal have had a resurgence in form under Mikel Arteta, to the point where many football fans across the country now can't remember the days when the club were floundering in mid-table under Unai Emery.

While Arteta's work on the pitch isn't complete yet, he deserves great credit for how he has brought supporters together off it.

The Emirates has never been louder than it has during the last three seasons, and new Arsenal chants are being created almost every week, thanks to the feel-good factor he has created.

In many ways, the anthem that has been the backdrop to Arsenal's performances in recent years has been ‘North London Forever', which Arsenal fans now sing before every home match at the Emirates Stadium. 

For more information on the lyrics, tune and the story behind why Arsenal fans sing it, read on. 

North London Forever chant lyrics and tune

The North London Forever chant is an original song written and sung by Louis Mark Dunford. The lyrics are as follows:

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

North London Forever background

The song was released in 2022 by Louis Dunford as an ode to his home town of Islington and his family and friends who live there. Very quickly after it was released, Arsenal fans began sharing it on social media, which clearly attracted the interest of Mikel Arteta.

Arteta then invited Dunford to the club's training ground to meet the players, and he was then invited to a match against Leeds. On that same day, the crowd spontaneously started singing the chorus to North London Forever, and Arteta spoke afterwards about the impact that it had on his players. The Spaniard said:

“It was really emotional. 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 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.”

The fans clearly did, as ever since, it has been sung before every home match.

Arsenal fans singing North London Forever

FGG says: Say what you like, it does its job

The North London Forever chant has faced plenty of ridicule since Arsenal fans started singing it. Some have labelled it ‘cringey', while others have labelled it ‘manufactured'.

At the end of the day, these anthems have to be new at some point, and in time, they will perhaps receive more recognition. For now, though, it's clearly having an impact on the fans, players and staff at Arsenal, and that's all that matters.