99% Invisible: One-Nil to the Arsenal
Hosted by Roman Mars
Release Date: April 22, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of 99% Invisible, host Roman Mars delves into the vibrant and intricate world of English Premier League (EPL) football chants, using Arsenal Football Club as a focal point. Joined by producer and climate reporter Emmett Fitzgerald, and sportswriter James McNicholas, Mars explores how chants evolve from grassroots creativity to stadium anthems that unify and energize fans.

The Passion of Arsenal Fandom

[01:15] Emmett Fitzgerald:
"I've been mildly obsessed with the English football club Arsenal for basically my entire adult life... I wake up at like 6:30 in the morning basically every weekend to watch them play in Pacific standard time."

Emmett Fitzgerald introduces his long-standing passion for Arsenal FC, highlighting the dedication required to support a team across different time zones. This personal anecdote sets the stage for a deeper exploration of fan culture and its expressions through music and chants.

The Birth of the "Waka Waka" Chant

[01:50] Emmett Fitzgerald:
"Today is a big day because I have an Arsenal story for you... Kai Havertz stepped up and scored a penalty that, while not crucial to the game's outcome, marked his first goal for the club."

During a match against Bournemouth, Arsenal's decision to have Kai Havertz take a penalty kick culminated in a significant moment for both the player and the fans. Havertz's successful penalty led to the creation of a unique chant set to the melody of Shakira's "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)."

[03:58] Roman Mars:
"Oh, okay, so I do recognize that as the World Cup song. The World Cup in South Africa."

[04:22] James McNicholas:
"60 million down the drain? Kai Havertz scores again."

James McNicholas, a sportswriter from The Athletic, provides insight into how the chant not only celebrates Havertz's goal but also playfully references the hefty transfer fee Arsenal paid for him.

The Evolution of Football Chants

[06:03] Emmett Fitzgerald:
"There are so many songs like this in the English Premier League, there's no way I could possibly name them all... every time I watched an Arsenal game, it felt like there was a new song that didn't even exist the previous match."

Emmett discusses the prolific nature of chant creation in the EPL, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between fans and music. This phenomenon is not isolated to Arsenal but spans across numerous clubs, each fostering its own unique repertoire of songs.

Historical Roots of Football Chants

[07:55] Emmett Fitzgerald:
"Let's start with the football writer, Andy Lawn."

Emmett introduces Andy Lawn, author of We Don't Lose, We Part. Lawn traces the origins of football chants back to late 19th-century Norwich, where local football clubs composed songs to celebrate civic pride and team identity.

[09:36] Roman Mars:
"Oh, I actually didn't know that. That makes sense."

[10:16] Andy Lawn:
"In 2025, it's still being sung, like, every game, four or five times in a game."

Andy Lawn explains how early chants like "On the Ball City" served as anthems for merged teams, a tradition that persists today, underscoring the enduring power of music in football culture.

Liverpool's Musical Influence

[11:19] Roman Mars:
"So you mentioned the first one sort of premiered around 1902. You know, where are we at this point where they start spreading around to other clubs?"

[12:04] Andy Lawn:
"The Liverpool crowd used their songs as a vehicle for kind of pride and self-identity... singing Beatles songs verbatim during home matches."

Liverpool FC became a catalyst for modern chant culture by integrating popular music into their game-day experience. Iconic songs like "You'll Never Walk Alone" transformed into anthems that resonate globally, inspiring other clubs to adopt similar practices.

[14:23] Emmett Fitzgerald:
"That's Liverpool's anthem that's known all around the world."

The adoption of pop melodies with customized lyrics became a template for other teams, fostering a widespread tradition of fan-created chants.

Crafting the Perfect Chant

[15:48] Emmett Fitzgerald:
"So this is the moment when fans start making their own football specific remixes, taking well known pop melodies and writing their own lyrics to suit their particular city or their football club."

Emmett elaborates on the creative process behind chant formation, where fans adapt familiar tunes to reflect team-specific narratives, player accolades, or local pride.

[16:20] James McNicholas:
"1 nil to the Arsenal wins... simplicity was key back then."
[17:11] Emmett Fitzgerald:
"Yeah. And they did that through songs."

James McNicholas discusses the "One-Nil to the Arsenal" chant, highlighting its simplicity and effectiveness in reinforcing the team's defensive prowess and identity.

The Social Dynamics of Chant Adoption

[17:42] Emmett Fitzgerald:
"It's just part of the process. But over time, this kind of clever pop music songwriting really spread all throughout football."

Chants rely on communal participation, requiring fans to harmonize and adapt. The absence of digital platforms in earlier decades meant chants spread organically through live interactions, epitomizing the communal spirit of football fandom.

[18:12] James McNicholas:
"They don't hand out a song sheet or anything. You have to go away and ask your mates, what do they actually sing?"

The grassroots nature of chant dissemination underscores the collective ownership and authentic expression inherent in football chants.

Case Study: Martin Odegaard's Anthem

[24:14] Dan Gunning:
"It started because as a group we wanted to try and improve the atmosphere... we wanted a football song for our new captain, Martin Odegaard."

Dan Gunning, an Arsenal supporter, spearheaded the creation of a chant for Martin Odegaard, leveraging the popularity of the darts-themed song "Chase the Sun" by Planet Funk. Utilizing social media, the chant quickly gained traction, demonstrating the modern interplay between digital platforms and traditional fan culture.

[27:40] Emmett Fitzgerald:
"On the walk into the stadium, he heard more people singing it. But the big question was whether he and his friends could get the song going during and actually, like, in the stadium."

The spontaneous adoption of the chant by the wider fanbase illustrates how individual creativity can resonate collectively, morphing into a unifying anthem within the stadium environment.

The Impact of Supporter Contributions

[32:22] Roman Mars:
"It really underscores how collective this whole process is... the wisdom of the crowd determines what makes it into the songbook."

The role of supporters extends beyond passive consumption; their active contributions shape the cultural landscape of football. This symbiotic relationship between fans and players fosters a sense of belonging and mutual reinforcement.

[32:56] James McNicholas:
"Supporters... actively engaged. They want to be making that noise, firing up that choir."

The transition from "fans" to "supporters" emphasizes the proactive role fans play in enhancing the match-day experience through their vocal and musical expressions.

Arsenal's Current Season and Chant Revival

[33:55] Roman Mars:
"So before we go, like, how is Arsenal doing this season?"

[34:14] Emmett Fitzgerald:
"It's been up and down. They're in second place in the League... Arsenal managed to win that game 3-0 and then beat Madrid again to advance to the semifinals."

Arsenal's fluctuating season performance, marked by triumphs and challenges, has been mirrored by the ebb and flow of chant usage. Notably, a significant Champions League victory rekindled the vibrant atmosphere, with supporters intensifying their vocal support to propel the team forward.

Conclusion

This episode of 99% Invisible illuminates the intricate tapestry of football chants within the English Premier League, exemplified by Arsenal FC's passionate supporter base. From historical origins to modern-day digital influences, chants encapsulate the essence of community identity, collective creativity, and unwavering support that define football culture. Through the voices of Roman Mars, Emmett Fitzgerald, and James McNicholas, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the seemingly spontaneous yet profoundly impactful world of football anthems.

Notable Quotes

• Emmett Fitzgerald [01:15]:
  "I've been mildly obsessed with the English football club Arsenal for basically my entire adult life."

• James McNicholas [04:22]:
  "60 million down the drain? Kai Havertz scores again."

• Andy Lawn [09:36]:
  "In 2025, it's still being sung, like, every game, four or five times in a game."

• Dan Gunning [24:14]:
  "It started because as a group we wanted to try and improve the atmosphere."

• James McNicholas [33:00]:
  "Supporters... actively engaged. They want to be making that noise, firing up that choir."

References

• Emmett Fitzgerald: Producer and climate reporter for 99pi, Arsenal supporter.
• James McNicholas: Sportswriter for The Athletic covering Arsenal in the Premier League.
• Andy Lawn: Author of We Don't Lose, We Part, historian of football chants.

Produced by Emmett Fitzgerald, edited by Kelly Prime, mixed by Martin Gonzalez. Music by Swan Real, George Langford, and APM. Fact-checking by Graham Haysh.

Listen to more episodes of 99% Invisible at 99percentinvisible.org.