Arsenal Football has unveiled eight new massive artworks that will adorn the exterior of Emirates Stadium, the installation of the eight pieces of art has begun and will continue over the forthcoming weeks.
Together with a diverse group of Arsenal supporters, Jeremy Deller, Reuben Dangoor, and David Rudnick, led the design process during a series of consultations which began in April 2022.
As an Islington resident for more than 20 years, where Emirates Stadium has been my landscape, I’m so proud to have played a part in this project. The final artwork is a product of the collaboration and hard work of so many in the Arsenal community and it adds another layer to the rich history of this iconic corner of north London.
Jeremy Deller
Amongst the many supporters who contributed to bringing the new artwork to life were legends of the game including Kelly Smith and descendants of legends who have passed, including Jill Armstrong, daughter of Geordie Armstrong; David Rocastle’s family; Lynne Hapgood and Jake Hapgood, daughter and grandson of Eddie Hapgood; Graham Drake and Liam Harding, son and great-grandson of Ted Drake; and Reg Lewis’ stepson, Richard Stubbs.
This has been a fantastic project enabled by so many of the Arsenal family here in Islington and across the world. We genuinely couldn’t have brought this project to life without everyone working together and giving their passion and dedication to this work.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been involved and made this unique piece of work possible.
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.
Vinai Venkatesham, Arsenal CEO
Artwork Descriptions:
Victoria Concordia Crescit
Tells the story of Arsenal’s iconic players who embody the spirit of the club. Drawing inspiration from the neoclassical style of French revolutionary paintings, Victoria Concordia Crescit celebrates the club’s much-loved legends ready for battle alongside the famous cannons with flags emblazoned with Arsenal’s motto: Victoria Concordia Crescit – Victory Through Harmony.
The cannons have been part of the club’s identity since it was formed by workers at the Royal Arsenal Ordnance Factory in 1886, and Victoria Concordia Crescit has been the club’s motto since the very first season in north London in 1913/14.
Players Featured: George Male, Martin Keown, Emma Byrne, Jayne Ludlow, Ian Wright, Eddie Hapgood, Alex Scott, Marieanne Spacey, Frank McLintock, David Seaman, Tony Adams, David Rocastle
Remember Who You Are
Pays homage to the memories and history of the club’s former home, Highbury. This stunning representation of the stadium’s East Stand – one of football’s architectural masterpieces – is firmly rooted in the club’s DNA with special moments in time featuring some of Arsenal’s greatest players and managers included throughout the artwork.
The name of the piece recalls a quote passed down through generations of Arsenal players and now synonymous with David Rocastle: “Remember who you are, what you are and who you represent.”
Invincible
Immortalises two of Arsenal’s greatest glories: the women’s Champions League winning team of 2006/07 and the men’s invincible Premier League season of 2003/04. Arsène Wenger’s team remain the only side to achieve this feat in the modern era, while Vic Akers’ Gunners are the only British team to lift Europe’s most prestigious club trophy.
‘Invincible’ is a term frequently associated with the legendary men’s team of 2003/04, but this striking artwork also celebrates the remarkable invincibility of the club’s women’s team in that 2006/07 season. The campaign was a stunning ‘quadruple’, combining European glory, with success in both domestic cups and it was also the third of four successive unbeaten, title-winning seasons for the team, highlighting their complete domestic dominance as well as glory in Europe.
Players featured: Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, Ray Parlour, Thierry Henry, Arsène Wenger, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, Sol Campbell, Gilberto, Kolo Toure, Lauren, Edu, Jens Lehmann, Ashley Cole, Anita Asante, Julie Fleeting, Lianne Sanderson, Alex Scott, Jayne Ludlow, Katie Chapman, Rachel Yankey, Mary Phillip, Ciara Grant, Kelly Smith, Vic Akers, Karen Carney, Emma Byrne & Faye White.
Players named on the trophy: Pascal Cygan, Sylvain Wiltord, Jose Antonio Reyes, Gael Clichy, Kanu, Martin Keown, Jeremie Aliadiere, David Bentley, Justin Hoyte, Gemma Davison, Sian Larkin, Danielle Buet & Charlotte Gurr.
Come To See The Arsenal
Is a bold, type-based design that celebrates the club’s community roots and will be seen by passengers on southbound trains arriving into London passing Emirates Stadium. Taking inspiration from Highbury as ‘The Home of Football’, the bespoke typeface creates an impactful design and draws on a strong focus from the workshops to evoke Arsenal’s north London pride.
The typeface is a modified version of the club’s new Northbank font, which draws inspiration from the lettering on Highbury’s East Stand.
Eighteen Eighty-Six
Is a bold, type-based design that symbolises Arsenal’s constant pursuit of progress from the club’s founding year in Woolwich through to its courageous move to north London in 1913 and beyond.
Redcurrant and graphic cues on the ‘Always Forward’ scroll are a subtle nod to Highbury, while retro elements within the artwork are inspired by Arsenal iconography, such as the ermine motifs which featured on our historic ‘Victoria Concordia Crescit’ crest.
We All Follow The Arsenal
Is a rich tapestry inspired by Arsenal supporters’ deep connection to the club, wherever they are in the world, from Islington to India and beyond.
Featuring over 150 official supporter groups spanning all continents, the artwork comprises 187 banners and flags in total. The physical banners are handmade and individually photographed to create the authentic, billowing flag effect.
Future Brilliance
Is inspired by Arsène Wenger’s quote: “Here you have the opportunity to get out the greatness that is in each of you.” The artwork reflects Arsenal’s commitment to providing opportunities for young players to develop and progress, with the club’s players running into the flag on the left as young hopefuls and emerging as the fully fledged legends we know and love today.
Iconic Islington architecture is the backdrop to this heroic scene which represents Arsenal’s north London landscape. It pays homage to the club’s local community and sends an inspiring message to the thousands of young people with whom the club regularly engage through a variety of Arsenal community projects.
Players featured: Charlie George, Jack Wilshere, David O’Leary, Kelly Smith, Rachel Yankey, Paul Davis, Paul Merson, Lianne Sanderson, Pat Rice, Liam Brady & Tony Adams.
Found a Place Where We Belong
Will be the ultimate illustrated crowd scene that represents the importance of the Arsenal family. The artwork will bring together 721 supporters who have contributed to the club’s success, given so much to the community and followed Arsenal through thick and thin. Bespoke flags and banners, which were handmade in Woolwich, featuring terrace anthems sung throughout the ages will be woven into the artwork.
The name of the piece is inspired by Dennis Bergkamp’s quote: “When you start supporting a football club, you don’t support it because of the trophies, or a player, or history – you support it because you found yourself somewhere there; found a place where you belong.”
You can view the exhibition of the new artwork now until Saturday 14th January between 10am – 4pm at Candid Arts Trust, 3-5 Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NQ
