North London Forever chant, lyrics and story

Arsenal’s progress under Mikel Arteta has been so steady that the difficult spell during Unai Emery’s tenure now feels firmly in the past for most supporters.

The Spaniard has led the Gunners to three straight second-place finishes in the Premier League, and they are once again firmly in the title race this season, bringing belief back around the club.

Arteta’s influence has not just been seen on the pitch but also in the connection between the team and the crowd, with the Emirates Stadium now one of the most vibrant atmospheres in England.

That renewed energy has also given rise to new Arsenal chants, with “North London Forever” emerging as the defining anthem heard before kick-off at every home game.

The song now reflects the unity and ambition within the club, capturing the mood of both players and supporters as they push for major honours.

For a closer look at the lyrics, tune and how the anthem became part of matchday 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.