1886: a south-of-the-river beginning
The club began in 1886 south of the Thames, first as Dial Square. That matters when you step into the museum, because the story on display is larger than modern matchday branding: it starts in Woolwich, long before north London became the club's permanent identity.
1913: Highbury changes everything
The final game at the Manor Ground came on April 26, 1913, and the first at Highbury followed on September 6, 1913, with a 2-1 win over Leicester Fosse. Those dates are the hinge of the whole collection, because they explain why Highbury nostalgia still carries so much weight in Arsenal culture.
2006: Emirates Stadium becomes the new home
In May 2006, Arsenal moved from Highbury to Emirates Stadium. The museum makes that transition feel continuous rather than abrupt, connecting the modern arena to older shirts, boots, photographs, and title memories that supporters still read as the club's true spine.
Three home eras in one compact visit
One of the museum's strengths is scale: you can move from Woolwich roots to Highbury mythology and then into the Emirates Stadium era in about 30 minutes. That compact structure works especially well for first-time visitors who want the narrative without giving up half a day.