As you'd anticipate, most Tube station names in London are based on the geographical location they serve - consider South Kensington, Canary Wharf, Embankment and so on. It's simply logical.
However, for those who value logic, this isn't a foolproof method of navigation, especially when one station is a staggering 13 miles away from its geographical namesake. If you disembark here, you're in for a long hike.
That station is Arsenal.
The tale behind the name of Arsenal station is entwined with the history of nearby Arsenal FC. The team was originally named Woolwich Arsenal in the 19th century, after the workplace of the original players - the Arsenal munitions factory in Woolwich, South East London.
In 1913, due to financial difficulties, the club moved north of the Thames to Holloway and simplified their name to Arsenal, a tribute to their origins that has persisted to this day.
Then, in 1932, a local station known as Gillespie Road was renamed after the local football team that played at nearby Highbury Stadium. It became known as Arsenal (Highbury Hill), and later simply Arsenal, although the original name can still be seen in tiles on the station wall.
To add to the confusion, there's also a Woolwich Arsenal station, which serves the DLR, Southeastern and Thameslink lines.
Arsenal station, despite being named after the Royal Arsenal munitions factory situated over 10 miles away, holds a unique claim to fame. It's the only Tube stop named after a football team, setting it apart from West Ham and Wimbledon stations which are named based on the local areas they serve, not the teams.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Arsenal FC relocated to the Emirates Stadium in 2006. The former Highbury stadium has since been converted into flats, with half of them ingeniously incorporating the east and west stands.
Residents even use the old turnstiles to access the buildings.
In a twist of irony, this move means that Arsenal station isn't even the closest station to Arsenal FC anymore - that accolade now belongs to Holloway Road station. This leaves Arsenal station even further removed from its original namesake, adding to its unique charm and mystery!
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