Arema F.C.

The name Arema is a Malang legend. It was Kidung Harsawijaya who first recorded the name, which is the story of Patih Kebo Arema when Singosari was ruled by Kertanegara. Kebo Arema's achievements were brilliant. He broke the revolt of Kelana Bhayangkara as written in the Song of Panji Wijayakrama until all the rebels were crushed like leaves eaten by caterpillars. Likewise the Cayaraja rebellion as written in the Book of Negarakertagama. Kebo Arema also became an expansionary political buffer Kertanegara. Together with Mahisa Anengah, Kebo Arema conquered Pamalayu Kingdom centered on Jambi. Then can master the Malacca Strait. The heroic history of Kebo Arema has indeed sunk. History books only record Kertanegara as the biggest king Singosari, whose administrative center is near Malang City.

Until finally in the 1980s the name Arema reappeared. Do not know exactly, whether the name traces the greatness of Kebo Arema. To be sure, Arema is a pointer to a community from Malang. Arema is an acronym of Arek Malang. Arema then transformed into a kind of "subculture" with identity, symbols and characters for the people of Malang. It is believed, Arek Malang built its reputation and existence through rock music and sports. Aside from boxing, soccer is sport which is a way for poor arek to show his reputation. So the birth of the Arema soccer team is a necessity.

Arema Football Club (Arema Football Association, its official name) was born on 11 August 1987, with a passion for developing football in Malang. At that time, another Malang team Persema Malang was like a magnet for Arek Malang. Gajayana Stadium – the home base of the government club – was always crowded with spectators. Where was Arema at that time? To be sure, the club has not manifested itself as a football community. He is still a "utopia".

Is Acub Zaenal former Governor Irian Jaya 3rd and former management of the PSSI period of the 80s who first contributed to the thought of forming a club Galatama in Malang after previously building the club Perkesa 78 with Dirk "Derek" Sutrisno (Alm), founder of the Armada '86 club.

Thanks to the good relations between Dirk and sports journalists in Malang, especially soccer, SIWO PWI Malang proposed holding a seminar to see "Is it time for Malang City to have a Galatama club?" The idea was approved. From there SIWO, which was then managed by Drs. Heruyogi (Chair) and Drs. Bambang Bes (Secretary of SIWO) held a seminar at the Journalists' Center Jl. Raya Langsep Malang City. The theme is "Galatama Club and Malang City". The resource persons presented included; Mr. Acub Zainal (Administrator Galatama), Chairperson of East Java PSSI Regional Office, Malang City PSSI Regional Committee, and Dr. Ubud Salim, MA. The event was opened by Mr. Malang Mayor Tom Uripan (Alm). The results of the seminar recommended that: Malang is considered to have a professional Galatama club.

Admittedly, the beginning of Arema's establishment cannot be separated from the great role of Mr. Derek, voter of the local Armada '86 club. Until the name of this club was originally Aremada, which is a combination of Armada and Arema. While Arema is the name of the community of Malang citizens. But a few months later the name Aremada was changed to Arema '86. Unfortunately, Pak Derek's efforts to maintain the Galatama Arema '86 club encountered many obstacles, even the team which was expected to be able to take part in the Galatama VIII scene began to be squeezed by financial difficulties.

From here, Acub Zaenal took over and tried to save Arema '86 to survive. After being taken over, the name Arema '86 was finally changed to Arema Indonesia and was also designated as a Galatama participating club. Arema Indonesia was inaugurated on 11 August 1987 according to notary deed Pramu Haryono SH No. 58. The stipulation on 11 August 1987, like water flowing just like that, was not based on a specific determination.

Because of its establishment in August, then the symbol Singo (Lion) appeared. That is, the month of August according to the horoscope is identical to the Zodiac Leo or Singo.

At the beginning of Arema's participation in the Galatama Competition, the guerrilla search for players took place one month before Arema was officially established. The players who were recruited in the first athap included Maryanto (ex Persema), Jonathan (Satria Malang club), Kusnadi Kamaludin (Armada), Mahdi Haris (Arseto), Jamrawi and Yohanes Geohera (Mitra Surabaya), to goalkeeper Dony Latupeirisa who was then undergoing PSSI suspension. A quality trainer Sinyo Aliandoe also joined. Then an obstacle arises, the player mess. But fortunately, Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport assisted and provided a [Paskhas] [Bar] military barracks TNI AU to accommodate players. Besides barracks, Abdurrahman Saleh Pagas field was also used as a training ground. Practically Maryanto et al. accommodated in barracks. TNI-AU contributed greatly to the founding of Arema.

Again, the problem of funding problems, the main problem that will continue to convolute Arema. After returning from Jakarta, Acub Zaenal agreed to become a funder. Arema's achievements can be considered ups and downs, although it never inhabited the bottom of the board standings. In every Galatama season, Arema has never been constant in the top flight. Nevertheless, in 1992 Arema won the Galatama competition. At that time, the players included, among others Aji Santoso, Mecky Tata, Singgih Pitono, Jamrawi, Jonathan, with coach M Basri, PSSI national team coach. The Arema club is able to realize the dream of the people of Malang City to become elite champions in Indonesia.

Since joining the Indonesian League, Arema has entered the second round seven times. Once in the last 12 rounds (1996/1997) and six times in the top 8 (1999/2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007). Despite his good achievements, Arema has never been free from financial problems. Almost every season, this problem is always haunting, so it's not surprising that almost every season, club management always changes. In 2003, Arema experienced severe financial difficulties which affected the team's performance. This led to the management of Arema being handed over to Bentoel (PT Bentoel International Tbk) in the middle of the 2003 season. However, in the end Arema was relegated to Division I. Since being improved under PT Bentoel, Arema's achievements have risen. back; won Division 1 in 2004, then won Copa Indonesia in 2005 and 2006, Arema U-18 won the Soeratin Cup in 2007. In 2006 and 2007 Arema and Benny Dollo received awards from the Tabloid Bola as a team and the best coach.

In the 1st [Indonesia Super League] Competition 2008 – 2009 Arema ranked 10th. Two months After the competition was over, on 3 August 2009 at Hotel Santika Malang the owner of the Arema club, PT Bentoel Investama, Tbk released Arema to a group of people concerned about Arema (consortium).[3] The release of this Arema is the result of the majority selling shares owned by PT Bentoel to British American Tobacco (BAT). Before that there was a discourse to combine Arema with Persema Malang, but Aremania did not approve of the discourse.

In the 2009/2010 season, Arema, which was supported by Robert Alberts, won the title of Indonesian Super League and Runner-up.

2011 due to dispute between newly founded Liga Primer Indonesia (LPI) and re-branded Liga Prima Indonesia (IPL) direct replacement to Liga Super Indonesia, the country top-tier league. Arema also divided into two separate entity, Arema Indonesia in IPL and Arema FC in LPI.[4]

Arema Indonesia claimed they had been given permission from Lucky Acub Zaenal, the co founder of Arema since 1987 meanwhile, Arema Cronus later Arema FC said that they are supported by the fans, Aremania.[5]

In 2015, Arema Indonesia changed names to Arema Cronus.

In 2017 season, the club changed its name from Arema Cronus to Arema Football Club due to the protest of many supporters.[6]

Arema supporters are known as Aremania and Aremanita, after the Liga Indonesia began, in 1997 Aremania emerged as a support group supporting Arema football clubs.[10]

Aremania have a very strong rivalry with supporters of Persebaya Surabaya, who are known as Bonek and the games between the two sides, known as the Super East Java Derby, often escalates into violence.[11][12]

As of 4 November 2020[13]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  IDN Utam Rusdiana 4 DF  IDN Syaiful Indra Cahya 5 DF  IDN Bagas Adi 7 MF  IDN Rizky Dwi Febrianto 8 MF  BRA Bruno Smith 10 FW  IDN Muhammad Rafli 11 MF  IDN Feby Eka Putra (on loan from Persija Jakarta) 12 MF  IDN Hendro Siswanto (captain) 14 MF  IDN Jayus Hariono 16 MF  IDN Ridwan Tawainella 19 MF  IDN Hanif Sjahbandi 21 DF  IDN Aji Saka 23 GK  IDN Teguh Amiruddin

No. Pos. Nation Player 26 DF  IDN Taufik Hidayat 27 FW  IDN Dedik Setiawan 31 GK  IDN Andriyas Francisco 41 MF  IDN Dendi Santoso (3rd captain) 44 DF  IDN Nur Diansyah 56 FW  IDN Titan Agung 87 DF  IDN Johan Alfarizi (2nd captain) 88 MF  IDN Vikrian Akbar 92 MF  IDN Dave Mustaine 95 DF  BRA Caio Ruan 96 GK  IDN Kartika Ajie 99 FW  IDN Kushedya Hari Yudo

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 15 DF  IDN Alfin Tuasalamony (at Madura United) 42 DF  IDN Ganjar Mukti (at Persiraja Banda Aceh) 77 MF  IDN Pandi Lestaluhu (at Mitra Kukar)

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 47 GK  IDN Achmad Kurniawan (posthumous honour)[14]

Head Coach by years (1987–present)

Years	Name
1987–1989	Sinyo Aliandoe
1989–1992	Andi M. Teguh
1992–1993	M Basri
1993–1994	Gusnul Yakin
1994–1995	Halilintar Gunawan
1995–1996	Gusnul Yakin
1996–1997	Suharno
1997–1998	Gusnul Yakin
1998	Hamid Asnan
1998–1999	Winarto
2000	M Basri
2001–2002	Daniel Roekito
2003	Gusnul Yakin
2003	Terry Wetton
2003	Henk Wullems
2004–2006	Benny Dollo
2006–2007	Miroslav Janů
2008 (5-month)	Bambang Nurdiansyah
2008–2009	Gusnul Yakin
2009–2010	Robert Alberts
2010–2011	Miroslav Janů
2011–2012 (2-month)	Milomir Šešlija (IPL)
2011–2012 (5-month)	Dejan Antonić (IPL)
2011	Wolfgang Pikal (ISL)
2011	Joko Susilo (ISL)
2012	Suharno (ISL)
2012–2013	Rahmad Darmawan
2013–2015	Suharno
2015–2016	Joko Susilo
2016	Milomir Šešlija
2016–2017	Aji Santoso
2017–2018	Joko Susilo
2018	Milan Petrović
2019	Milomir Šešlija
2020	Mario Gómez
2020–	Carlos Oliviera

• Galatama
  • Winners (1): 1992–93

• Indonesia Super League
  • Winners (1): 2009–10
  • Runners-up (2): 2010–11, 2013

• Indonesia Soccer Championship A
  • Runners-up (1): 2016

• Liga Indonesia First Division
  • Winners (1): 2004

• Piala Indonesia
  • Winners (2): 2005, 2006
  • Runners-up (2): 1992, 2010

• Indonesian Community Shield
  • Runners-up (1): 2010

• Inter Island Cup
  • Winners (1): 2014/15

• Indonesia President's Cup
  • Winners (2; record): 2017, 2019

• Piala Gubernur Jatim
  • Winners (1): 2013
  • Runners-up (1): 2008

• Trofeo Persija
  • Winners (2): 2013, 2015

• Piala SCM
  • Winners (1): 2015

• Piala Menpora
  • Winners (1): 2013

• Bali Island Cup
  • Winners (2): 2015, 2016

• Bhayangkara Cup
  • Winners (2): 2016, 2017

• Asian Club Championship/AFC Champions League
  • 1993–94 – First round
  • 2007 – Group stage
  • 2011 – Group stage
• AFC Cup
  • 2012 – Quarter-finals
  • 2014 – Round of 16