Arsenal’s revival under Mikel Arteta has been so pronounced that the period of mid-table frustration under Unai Emery already feels like a distant memory for many supporters.
Arteta has guided the Gunners to three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League, and this season they are once again in the title mix, restoring confidence among fans.
Still active in all four competitions, Arsenal have already reached the EFL Cup final, while upcoming fixtures in the FA Cup and Champions League look favourable, offering the chance to go deep in both tournaments.
Beyond chasing trophies, Arteta’s impact is also felt off the pitch. The Spaniard has rebuilt the bond between the team and its fans, transforming the Emirates Stadium into one of England’s liveliest grounds, where fresh Arsenal chants continue to appear as excitement around the club grows.
A key part of that renewed energy is the anthem ‘North London Forever’, now a staple of every home match, embodying the spirit and optimism that surrounds Arsenal today.
The song has become a symbol of the club’s identity, uniting fans and players alike as they aim for success across all competitions.
To learn more about the song’s lyrics, melody and how it became a fixture at the Emirates, 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
Is “North London Forever” the best anthem in the Premier League?
While long-established songs such as You'll Never Walk Alone and I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles have been part of football culture for generations, North London Forever has quickly made its mark since being adopted by Arsenal in 2022.
The song stands out partly because of its folk roots, carrying a deep connection to the local Islington area that many supporters feel gives it a genuine, emotional edge.
The anthem has become a defining part of the pre-match ritual at the Emirates Stadium, especially during the 2025-26 title charge.
When the acoustic guitar kicks in before kick-off, the crowd creates a sound that both the players and Arteta have frequently cited as a “twelfth man” advantage.
Some rival fans still mock the tradition, often labelling it as part of a perceived “Arsenal cringe” culture, but the reaction inside the stadium tends to tell a very different story, with thousands of supporters fully buying into the moment.
Whether it is the best anthem in the Premier League remains open to debate, but the chant’s impact on Arsenal’s atmosphere and recent success means it has become one of the most recognisable walk-out songs in the league today.
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.