The English Football Belt · reign 398

Arsenal

Took the belt from Aston Villa, 2–0, on March 31, 1923. Lost it to Newcastle United, 4–1, on August 25, 1923.

5Defenses

147Days

7thReign for the club

+1Closest call · Apr 21, 1923

1.5Average winning margin

29thLongest of 1,686 reigns, by days

140thMost defenses of 1,686 reigns

How it started

Took the belt from Aston Villa, 2–0, on March 31, 1923.

How it ended

Lost it to Newcastle United, 4–1, on August 25, 1923.

Defended against

Preston ×2BlackburnAston VillaSheffield Utd

1922–23: Arsenal finished 16–16–10, 10th of 22 by record; 6 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 9 times that season.
1923–24: Huddersfield Town had the best record (23–8–11); 1 belt game of this reign; the belt changed hands 13 times that season.

margins from Arsenal’s side

Belt game	Date	Result	Margin
1,046	Mar 31, 1923	Arsenal beat Aston Villa 2–0 Game →	+2	Title change
1,047	Apr 2, 1923	Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers tied 1–1	0	Tie · defense
1,048	Apr 7, 1923	Arsenal and Aston Villa tied 1–1	0	Tie · defense
1,049	Apr 14, 1923	Arsenal and Preston North End tied 1–1	0	Tie · defense
1,050	Apr 21, 1923	Arsenal beat Preston North End 2–1	+1	Defense
1,051	Apr 28, 1923	Arsenal beat Sheffield United 2–0	+2	Defense
1,052	Aug 25, 1923	Newcastle United beat Arsenal 4–1	−3	Title change