Arema F.C.

Arema

Full name	Arema Football Club
Nickname(s)	Singo Edan (The Mad Lions)
Short name	AFC
Founded	11 August 1987; 37 years ago (1987-08-11)
Ground	Gelora Supriyadi Stadium
Capacity	15,000
Owner	PT Arema Aremania Bersatu Berprestasi Indonesia
President	Iwan Budianto
Head coach	Joel Cornelli
League	Liga 1
2023–24	Liga 1, 15th of 18
Website	http://www.aremafc.com/
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Active departments of Arema FC
Football	Football (Women's)	Football U-20 (Men's)
Football U-18 (Men's)	Football U-16 (Men's)

Arema Football Club is an Indonesian professional football club based in Malang, East Java. The club competes in the Liga 1, the top flight of Indonesian Football. They are considered one of the best and most successful football clubs in the country, and are nicknamed "Singo Edan" ("The Mad Lions" in Javanese).^[1]

The name Arema refers to a legendary figure in Malang folklore called Kebo Arema who was a knight in King Kertanegara of Singhasari's court when the latter ruled the kingdom in the 13th century. The kingdom's name relates to the contemporary Singosari district of Malang Regency, located a few miles north of Malang city. According to the folklore song of Panji Wijayakrama, Kebo Arema quashed a revolt by Kelana Bhayangkara until all the rebels were crushed like leaves eaten by caterpillars. In the ancient book of Negarakertagama, Kebo Arema also was cited as the one who ended the Cayaraja rebellion. Kebo Arema also led expansionary campaigns for Kertanegara. Together with Mahisa Anengah, Kebo Arema conquered the Pamalayu Kingdom on Sumatra island centered in what is now known as Jambi province in order to have access to the Malacca Strait. The heroism of Kebo Arema is little known because history books focus on the achievements of Kertanegara as the most prominent Singhasari king.

The name Arema reappeared in Malang around the 1980s. While it is unclear that the revival had anything to do with Kebo Arema, the name became popular among the youth in Malang who had developed a subculture. Arema is an acronym of Arek Malang, which means Youths of Malang. The Arema subculture has distinct identities, symbols and even languages that differentiates it from the main culture in the East Java province. It is often seen as a cultural challenge to the youth culture in the provincial capital of Surabaya.

Arema was established during the peak of this subculture, on 11 August 1987, with a goal of developing professional football club in Malang. At that time, the existing Malang club, Persema Malang, depended on government budget. A professional Malang club was the brainchild of Indonesian Army Brigadier General Acub Zaenal, who was active in the PSSI, and administered the country's first professional football competition Galatama, and Dirk Sutrisno, the founder of the Armada'86, who wanted to upgrade his team. The original name was Aremada, a combination of Armada and Arema, before becoming Arema'86. However, financial difficulties delayed the official incorporation of the Arema Football Club, until Acub Zaenal rescued the cause and paved way for Arema's participation in Galatama.

Because its establishment was during the horoscope period of Leo, Arema chose the symbol of the lion, or singo (in Javanese language), which also constitutes the front part of the Singhasari or Singosari kingdom's name.

At the beginning of Arema's Galatama participation, the guerrilla-style search for professional-quality players took place. Arema tried to convince players of existing clubs to join, including Maryanto from Persema, Kusnadi Kamaludin from Armada, Mahdi Haris from Arseto, Jamrawi and Yohanes Geohera from Mitra Surabaya and goalkeeper Dony Latuperisa who was then undergoing PSSI suspension. A former national team coach Sinyo Aliandoe also agreed to join. For their first accommodation, Arema players used military barracks provided by the air force at Malang's Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport. The airbase's field was also used as a training ground.

Arema's Galatama achievements were initially erratic, although it never inhabited the bottom of the table. Nevertheless, Arema won the 1992 Galatama competition. At that time, the players included Indonesia national football team regulars Aji Santoso, Mecky Tata, Singgih Pitono and Jamrawi. Ever since, Arema has been considered part of the elite group with fanatical supporters, especially those who embody the youth sub-culture in Malang.

During the Liga Indonesia (abbreviated as Ligina) years from 1994 to 2007, Arema entered the advanced round seven times, including six times in the top 8 (1999–2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007). Despite its stable achievements, Arema was not free from financial problems. In 2003, Arema experienced severe financial difficulties, which affected the team's performance. This led to the management being handed over to the cigarette manufacturing company Bentoel Group, which runs a factory near Malang, in the middle of the 2003 season. However, Arema still could not escape relegation to the Ligina's second-tier. That said, Bentoel financing helped Arema to bounce back and win promotion in 2004. After its return to the top league, Arema won the national cup consecutively in 2005 and 2006. Arema's U-18 team also won the Soeratin Cup, the country's main youth tournament, in 2007. In 2006 and 2007, Arema and its coach Benny Dollo received awards from Tabloid Bola, Indonesia's leading sports publication.

After another conflict in Indonesia's football league administration, the first Indonesia Super League competition, the 2008–09 edition came with Arema disappointingly finishing 10th. Two months later, the Bentoel Group sold Arema to a group of fans and investors concerned about the club's performance and future.^[2] The release was also a by-product of the sale of majority shares owned by the Bentoel Group to the British American Tobacco (BAT). Before that, there was a discourse of merging Arema with Persema Malang, but supporters objected this plan. In the 2009–10 season of ISL, Arema, which was coached by Robert Alberts, won the title.^[3] Arema had a knack of coming back stronger after taking a hit, which endears it to its loyal band of supporters who accompany the team wherever they go.

Indonesian football experienced its worst spell of management after Arema's 2010 victory with a schism within the country's football management. PSSI in 2011 endorsed a newly founded league to rebrand the ISL and launched the Liga Prima Indonesia (Indonesia Premier League/IPL) as its direct replacement. However, ISL administrators rebelled against this move and continued the ISL series. Arema was also divided into two separate entities, Arema Indonesia in IPL and Arema Indonesia (later Arema F.C.) in ISL.^[4] In 2012, Bakrie Group bought Arema after selling their ISL club Pelita Jaya (which was renamed to Pelita Bandung Raya). It thwrated the two clubs merger.^[5][6]

Arema Indonesia's founders claimed they had been given permission from Lucky Acub Zaenal, the son of Acub Zaenal, the club's co-founder. Meanwhile, the Aremania fanclub rejected this, leading to the formation of Arema Cronus, which eventually became Arema FC.^[7]

The dualism ended in 2014 with the PSSI taking over the rebellious group that held onto the ISL series. FIFA also intervened and punished Indonesia for its poor management, leading to a competition vacuum in 2015. During the break, the Arema factions merged and agreed to use the name Arema Cronus for the resumption of the ISL in 2016.^{[citation needed]} Prior to the 2017 season, the club changed its name again from to Arema FC amid fan protests.^[8]

In the first Liga 1 season in 2017, Arema appointed Aji Santoso as the coach and introduced the "Pandawa 5", which consists of five club legends appointed as coaching staff. However, this concept did not last long, because coach Aji Santoso resigned. Joko Susilo, who became the successing coach, brought Arema to finish at 9th place with 49 points. Arema's management also maintained Susilo, is familiarly called as Gethuk, in the 2018 Liga 1 season.^[9]

In the 2018 Liga 1 season, Arema performed poorly at the start, with only one win from the first 6 matches, leading to the sacking of Joko Susilo. Milan Petrović was appointed as Arema's coach, who previously serving as assistant. Arema's performance improved by finishing at 6th position.^[9]

In the 2019 Liga 1 season, Milomir Šešlija was appointed as the new head coach. He had led the team at 2016 Indonesia Soccer Championship A. The performance of Singo Edan's squad in the season was good at the beginning, but continued to decline at the end of the competition. At the end of the season, Arema occupied the 9th position in the final standings.^[9]

The change in the composition of the players was quite extreme and Arema welcomed the 2020 Liga 1 season with the entry of the former coach of Borneo F.C., Mario Gómez. However, the competition was stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Arema was at 12th place.^[9][10]

Under Eduardo Almeida, Arema experienced the longest unbeaten run in the 2021–22 season, 23 matches. It started at matchday 4 and ended at matchday 27, when they lost in the Super East Java Derby against bitter rivals Persebaya Surabaya with the final score of 1–0 at Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium.^[11] Despite this achievement, Arema ended 4th in the Liga 1 standings for the 2021–22 season.^[12]

On 23 August 2022, Arema ceased their sponsorship deal with Bola88.fun, a sports betting website, after national investigation of clubs featuring sponsorship from alleged gambling sites.^[13] As a result of Kanjuruhan Stadium disaster on 1 October 2022, which killed 135 fans,^[14] the club was fined Rp. 250 million, required to hold home matches behind closed doors and away from at least 250 km from their home base, and two Arema officials were banned from the sport by PSSI.^[15] On 29 October 2022, Gilang Widya, the club's chairman in office at the time, announced his resignation from the job.^[16]

At the time Arema was managed by Bentoel Group, the legal entity name used was PT. Arema Indonesia. The legal entity name was still used by the Arema Foundation ownership after Bentoel returned club management to the Arema Foundation in 2009 to 2015. When it was returned to the Arema Foundation in 2009, the composition of the shareholders of PT. Arema Indonesia was the Arema Foundation with 13 shares (93%, majority) and Lucky Andriandana Zainal with one share (7%), which was given as a tribute to him as the founder of Arema. President Director of PT. Arema Indonesia was Iwan Budianto and the General Manager was Ruddy Widodo.

Since 2015, Iwan Budianto has formed a new legal entity as the manager of Arema FC as a result of the ban on using PT. Arema Indonesia from Badan Olahraga Profesional (Professional Sports Bureau/BOPI) because Arema FC is not under the auspices of PT. Arema Indonesia. The new legal entity used and registered by Arema since 2015 is PT. Arema Aremania Bersatu Berprestasi Indonesia (AABBI).

Since 6 June 2021, Arema entered a new era ahead of the launch of the 2021–22 season, after the directors of the club appointed entrepreneur Gilang Widya Pramana (commonly known as "Juragan99") as club president. Gilang appointed Ali Rifki as the club's general manager.^[17] On 29 October 2022, Gilang and Ali Rifki publicly declared his resignation from the board management of Arema FC.^[18] The club owned by PSSI vice president Iwan Budianto again through newly appointed PT. AABBI commissioner Tatang Dwi Arifianto, NZR Group owner Wiebie Dwi Andriyas chosen as club's new general manager.^[19]

In 2004 Arema started playing their home matches in the Kanjuruhan Stadium which replaced the Gajayana Stadium. The stadium has a capacity of 42,449 (without single seats). The grass used is Lamuran grass (Polytrias).^[20]

On 1 October 2022, in the Super East Java derby between Arema and Persebaya Surabaya, there was a crowd crush after the match due to the police over-using tear gas. As a result of the disaster, all Liga 1 matches were suspended for a week.^[21] At least 135 died and 583 injured in the disaster.^[14] Besides that, Arema had to play their home matches behind closed doors until the end of the 2022–23 season.^[22]

Years	Kits
1995–1998	Adidas
1999–2000	Reebok
2001	Nike
2007–2009	Puma
2009–2010	Diadora
2010–2011	Lotto
2011	Axl
2012–2013	Ultras
2013–2014	Joma
2015–2018	Specs
2019	Munich
2019–2024	Singo Edan Apparel
2024–	Etams

^{[23] [24] [25][26]}

The nickname for Arema FC is "Singo Edan" ("The Mad Lions" in Javanese), in line with the lion symbol and spirited nature of its fans. There have been several color changes throughout Arema's turbulent history but the official colors now are blue and red.

The complete sponsors are as follow^[27][13]

Main sponsors

• The Legion Nutrition
• MS Glow for Men
• Indomie

Other sponsors

• J99 Corp.
• Mitra Bukalapak
• Vidio
• Extra Joss
• Rhinoflex
• KFC
• Greenfields
• Le Minerale
• Pertamina

Arema's supporters are known as Aremania and Aremanita. After the Liga Indonesia began in 1997, Aremania emerged as a support group with an aggressive reputation nationwide.^[28]

Aremania have a very strong rivalry with supporters of Persebaya Surabaya, who are known as Bonek during games between the two sides, which is known as the Super East Java derby. These meetings often escalates into violence.^[29][30]

As of 13 August 2024^[31]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 3 DF  IDN Bayu Aji 4 DF  IDN Syaeful Anwar 5 DF  BRA Thales Lira 6 MF  COL Julián Guevara 7 MF  IDN Hamzah Titofani 8 MF  IDN Arkhan Fikri 10 MF  BRA Wiliam Marcilio 11 FW  AUS Charles Lokolingoy 12 DF  IDN Rifad Marasabessy 13 MF  IDN Samuel Balinsa 14 MF  IDN Jayus Hariono 16 MF  IDN Daffa Fahish 19 DF  IDN Achmad Maulana 20 DF  KOR Choi Bo-kyung 21 FW  TLS Flabio Soares

No. Pos. Nation Player 22 GK  IDN Dicki Agung 23 DF  IDN Anwar Rifai 24 FW  IDN Muhammad Rafli 27 FW  IDN Dedik Setiawan 30 FW  IDN Salim Tuharea 31 GK  BRA Lucas Frigeri 32 MF  BRA Pablo Oliveira 41 MF  IDN Dendi Santoso (vice-captain) 67 MF  IDN Sulthon Fajar 72 DF  IDN Bayu Setiawan 87 DF  IDN Johan Alfarizi (captain) 94 FW  BRA Dalberto 95 GK  IDN Andrian Casvari 96 DF  IDN Iksan Lestaluhu

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

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  IDN Kevin Armedyah (at Persekat Tegal)

• 1 – Kurnia Meiga^[32]
• 47 – Achmad Kurniawan (posthumous)^[33]

Position	Name
Head Coach	Joel Cornelli
Assistant Coach	Kuncoro
Intepreter	Claudio De Jesus
Goalkeeper Coach	Tiago Simoes
Assistant Goalkeeper Coach	Galih Firmansyah
Physical Coach	Gustavo Correa
Team Doctor	Nanang Tri Wahyudi
Team Physiotherapist	Reta Arroyan
Masseur	Samsul Hidayat Syeh Alfin Abdullah
Kitman	Eko Slamet Riyadi Rendik Hermawan
Head Coach Arema U20	Siswantoro

Position	Name
President	Iwan Budianto
General Manager	Muhammad Yusrinal Fitriandi
Manager	Wiebie Dwi Andriyas
Business Manager	Munif Bagaskara Wakid
Legal Manager	Eko Prasetyo
International Relations Manager	Fuad Ardiansyah
Academy Technical Director	Joko Susilo
Club Secretary	Rahmad Taufiq Hentihu
Media Officer	Toby Himawan Pratiko

Season	League/Division	Tms.	Pos.	Piala Indonesia	AFC competition(s)
1994–95	Premier Division	34	6 in East Div.	–	–	–
1995–96	Premier Division	31	12 in East Div.	–	–	–
1996–97	Premier Division	33	Second round	–	–	–
1997–98	Premier Division	31	did not finish	–	–	–
1998–99	Premier Division	28	3 in Central Div.	–	–	–
1999–2000	Premier Division	28	Second round	–	–	–
2001	Premier Division	28	Second round	–	–	–
2002	Premier Division	24	Second round	–	–	–
2003	Premier Division	20	17	–	–	–
2004	First Division	22	1	–	–	–
2005	Premier Division	28	Second round	Champions	–	–
2006	Premier Division	28	Second round	Champions	–	–
2007–08	Premier Division	36	Second round	Second round	AFC Champions League	Group stage
2008–09	Super League	18	10	First round	–	–
2009–10	Super League	18	1	Runners-up	–	–
2010–11	Super League	18	2	–	AFC Champions League	Group stage
2011–12	Super League	18	12	Quarter-finals	AFC Cup	Quarter-finals
2013	Super League	18	2	–	–	–
2014	Super League	22	Semi-finals	–	AFC Cup	Round of 16
2015	Super League	18	did not finish	–	–	–
2016	Soccer Championship A	18	2	–	–	–
2017	Liga 1	18	9	–	–	–
2018	Liga 1	18	6	Round of 16	–	–
2019	Liga 1	18	9		–	–
2020	Liga 1	18	did not finish	–	–	–
2021–22	Liga 1	18	4	–	–	–
2022–23	Liga 1	18	12	–	–	–
2023–24	Liga 1	18	15	–	–	–

Key

• Tms. = Number of teams
• Pos. = Position in league

Season	Competition	Round	Nat	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1993–94	Asian Club Championship	Preliminary round		Quang Nam (Da Nang)	1–0	1–2	3–1
		First round		Thai Farmers Bank	2–2	4–1	3–6
2007	AFC Champions League	Group F		Kawasaki Frontale	1–3	3–0	3rd
				Chunnam Dragons	0–1	2–0
				Bangkok University	1–0	0–0
2011	AFC Champions League	Group G		Cerezo Osaka	0–4	2–1	4th
				Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	0–4	6–0
				Shandong Luneng	1–1	5–0
2012	AFC Cup	Group H		Ayeyawady United	1–1	0–3	2nd
				Navibank Sài Gòn	6–2	3–1
				Kelantan	1–3	3–0
		Round of 16		Kitchee	0–2
		Quarter-finals		Al-Ettifaq	0–2	2–0	0–4
2014	AFC Cup	Group F		Selangor	1–0	1–1	2nd
				Hà Nội T&T	1–3	2–1
				Maziya	3–2	1–3
		Round of 16		Kitchee	2–0

• 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

Head Coach by years (1987–present)

Years Name 1987–1989 Sinyo Alindoe 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 Bambang Nurdiansyah 2008–2009 Gusnul Yakin 2009–2010 Robert Alberts 2010–2011 Miroslav Janů

Years Name 2011 Milomir Šešlija (IPL) 2012 Dejan Antonić (IPL) 2011–2012 Wolfgang Pikal (ISL) 2012 Joko Susilo (ISL) 2012 Suharno (ISL) 2012–2013 Rahmad Darmawan 2013–2015 Suharno 2015–2016 Joko Susilo 2016 Milomir Šešlija 2017 Aji Santoso 2017–2018 Joko Susilo 2018 Milan Petrović 2019 Milomir Šešlija 2020 Mario Gómez 2020–2021 Carlos Oliviera 2021–2022 Eduardo Almeida 2022–2023 Javier Roca 2023 Joko Susilo 2023–2024 Fernando Valente 2024 Widodo Cahyono Putro 2024– Joel Cornelli

• Indonesia Super League/Liga 1
  • Champions (1): 2009–10
  • Runners-up (2): 2010–11, 2013
• Galatama
  • Champions (1): 1992–93
• Liga Indonesia First Division
  • Champions (1): 2004

• Piala Indonesia
  • Winners (2): 2005, 2006
  • Runners-up (1): 2010
• East Java Governor Cup
  • Winners (1): 2013
  • Runners-up (2): 2008, 2012
• Menpora Cup
  • Winners (1): 2013
• Inter Island Cup
  • Winners (1): 2014/15
• Indonesia President's Cup
  • Winners (4): 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024

• Trofeo Persija
  • Winners (2): 2013, 2015
• SCM Cup
  • Winners (1): 2015
• Bali Island Cup
  • Winners (2): 2015, 2016
• Bhayangkara Cup
  • Winners (2): 2016, 2017
• Trofeo Ronaldinho
  • Runner-up (1): 2022

World clubs ranking^[34]

As of 4 August 2024.

Current Rank	Country	Team	Points
1381		Gualaceo S.C.	1310
1382		R.A.E.C. Mons (1910)	1310
1383		Arema FC	1310
1384		Kyoto Sanga FC	1309
1385		Telephonat Beni Suef SC	1309

AFC clubs ranking

As of 4 August 2024.

Current Rank	Country	Team	Points
142		Seongnam FC	1310
143		Bhayangkara FC	1310
144		Arema FC	1310
145		Kyoto Sanga FC	1309
146		Busan I'Park	1308

• Official website (in Indonesian)
• Arema F.C.'s team profile on Liga 1 official website (in Indonesian)