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.” Jeremy has lived in Islington for over 20 years in the heart of the Arsenal community. He said: “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.” Reuben said: “It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Arsenal supporters to bring their love and passion for the club to life. I’m a lifelong Gooner so it’s all a bit surreal and this has to go down as one of my favourite projects ever. “The legends I’ve had the pleasure of drawing are so iconic and they mean so much to me personally. I hope lovers of Arsenal love the work as much as I do.”
David originally approached the club back in 2022 and offered to explore how both Arsenal’s traditions and progressive mindset could be consistently expressed via a single font. The ‘Northbank’ font was born from this moment, and it can be seen most prominently on the ‘Come To See The Arsenal’ and ‘Eighteen Eighty-Six’ artwork that will soon adorn Emirates Stadium. David said: “Across the eight pieces of art we hope we’ve created something for everyone. The type-based designs implement typefaces from a project we’ve been undertaking with the club and the supporters’ workshops, to craft a set of voices incorporating both patterns and symbols synonymous with Arsenal, and a clean typographic system that shows how our values are present not just in the future we are building, but all the way to the club’s origins in Eighteen Eighty-Six. “That aspect of Arsenal resonates so much with every supporter; the perspective of always moving forward whilst celebrating and never forgetting our heritage.” 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.. The name of the piece recalls a quote passed down through generations of Arsenal players and is now synonymous with David Rocastle: “Remember who you are, what you are, and who you represent.”
‘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. The typeface is a modified version of the club’s new Northbank font, which draws inspiration from the lettering on Highbury’s East Stand. 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 featured on our historic ‘Victoria Concordia Crescit’ crest. 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. 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. 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.”
