The new designs that will adorn the Gunners' north London home have finally been unveiled…
The wait is finally over.
After months of planning and several workshops with fans to get their views, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium will soon have a brand new look.
Eight new designs will adorn the outside of the club’s north London home, with the artwork officially unveiled at a launch event on Wednesday night.
“This has been a fantastic project enabled by so many of the Arsenal family here in Islington and across the world,” said Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham.
“We started with a blank canvas with the hope of capturing and expressing our rich history, our values of community and progress and reflect what Arsenal stands for in 2023 and beyond.
“The project has brought together our supporters, community, legends and staff as one. It's a real celebration of the Arsenal community, designed for and by the Arsenal family.”
The project began in April last year and included a wide range of Arsenal supporters who took part in workshops alongside Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, critically acclaimed artist Reuben Dangoor, and graphic designer David Rudnick.
Together, they have created eight pieces of art that the club hopes will shine a light on its heritage, its culture and the community it now represents in 2023.
Below, GOAL talks you through the designs and the stories behind them…
Victoria Concordia Crescit
This design tells the story of some of Arsenal’s iconic former players who embody the spirit of the club.
The likes of Ian Wright, David Rocastle, Tony Adams and Eddie Hapgood all feature, as do Marieanne Spacey, Alex Scott and Jayne Ludlow.
It shows 12 Arsenal legends ready for battle alongside the famous cannons, which have been part of the club’s identity since it was formed by workers at the Royal Arsenal Ordnance Factory in 1886.
Flags emblazoned with Arsenal’s Latin motto Victoria Concordia Crescit and its English meaning, Victory through Harmony, also feature.
AdvertisementRemember Who You Are
This piece of art promises to be one of the most popular of the lot.
It pays homage to Highbury, the club’s former home, which Arsenal left for the Emirates in 2006.
The design is of Highbury’s iconic East Stand and has some of the Gunners' greatest ever players and managers included throughout the artwork.
Arsene Wenger is there, captured doing his famous pose following the title win at White Hart Lane in 2004. You can see Ian Wright and Thierry Henry, as well as the famous back four of Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn – all of whom are captured in their iconic offside pose.
Kenny Sansom is included, as are Ted Drake, Cliff Bastin and legendary figures such as David Danskin, Herbert Chapman, George Graham, Alex James and Ken Friar.
Invincible
This piece celebrates two of Arsenal’s greatest ever successes.
On one side, it immortalises the men’s Premier League title winning side of 2003-04, when they went through the entire league season unbeaten, while on the other it shows the women’s Champions League-winning team of 2006-07.
The latter side, managed by Vic Akers, remains the only British team ever to lift Europe’s most prestigious club trophy and they did it while winning both domestic cup competitions and going through their league campaign without tasting defeat.
The main pictures on the artwork show the two managers alongside 13 players. Other players who featured in those seasons – such as Kanu and Jose Antonio Reyes – have their names inscribed on the trophies.
Come To See The Arsenal
This type-based design will be positioned so train passengers coming from the north will be able to see it as they pass the stadium on their way into London.
It takes inspiration from Highbury as ‘The Home of Football’ and features the messages ‘Welcome to North London’ and ‘The Home of Arsenal’.
The design centres around evoking pride in north London, something that was called for during the workshops that were held with supporters during the planning stage.