Arsenal Football Club Unveil The New Emirates Artwork In Front Of Fans And Legends Alike

“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.”

There has been a lot of change around Arsenal Football Club in the last few years, and it's safe to say things are going in the right direction. Arsenal's home, which has become somewhat of a fortress this season, is currently getting a makeover.

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Plans to replace the artwork that wraps around the ground have long been in the works, and after a lengthy process, the new pieces were put on show on the 11th of January at the Candid Arts Trust in Angel. 

Arsenal royalty came out to witness the unveiling of the Emirates new artwork that will surround the stadium of Arsenal football club.

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So much love in the room with the @arsenal family at the new stadium artwork launch

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The design work was led by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, acclaimed artist Reuben Dangoor, and graphic designer David Rudnick. These three minds orchestrated the project that was inspired by the culture, heritage, and community that makes up Arsenal FC.

Courtesy of Arsenal F.C

Starting with a blank canvas, the contributions of over 100 supporters, legends, and Arsenal staff helped guide the project into its final form.

Courtesy of Arsenal F.C

With these contributions in mind, the artists worked to make eight pieces of art that will be installed around the Emirates stadium.

Speaking about the project, Arsenal CEO, Vinai Venkatesham, said: “I express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been involved and made this unique piece of work possible."

Stuart Macfarlane / Arsenal FC via Getty Images

"We started with a blank canvas with the hope of capturing and expressing our rich history, our values of community and progress and reflecting 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.”

So, who are the artists?

Jeremy Deller

Instagram: @jeremydeller

Jeremy Deller is a conceptual, video and installation artist from London who studied Art History at the Courtauld Institute and at the University of Sussex  Much of Jeremy’s work is collaborative with a strong political aspect, and his unique approach saw him win the Turner Prize in 2004 and represent Britain in the 55th Venice Biennale in 2013.

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 Dangoor

Instagram: @reubendangoor

Reuben Dangoor is a British artist who creates work heavily influenced by current affairs and his surroundings in London. When his portraits of Stormzy, Skepta and Dizzee Rascal were unveiled in Tate Britain for his debut exhibition 'Legends of the Scene', Reuben gained coverage from around the globe for being the first artist to bring the stars of the Grime movement into a British museum. Reuben has also had work displayed in The Design Museum 'Art of Politics' exhibition. 

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 Rudnick

Courtesy of Arsenal F.C

David Rudnick is a UK-born American-raised, self-taught graphic designer. David was born in 1986 in London and is now based in Ghent, Belgium, where he works from a collaborative studio – Terrain. 

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.”

Let's take a look at the art!

Victoria Concordia Crescit

Courtesy of Arsenal F.C

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.. 

Remember Who You Are

Courtesy of Arsenal F.C

This piece 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 is now synonymous with David Rocastle: “Remember who you are, what you are, and who you represent.”

Invincible

Courtesy of Arsenal F.C

This piece 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.

Come To See The Arsenal

Courtesy of Arsenal F.C

This bold, type-based design celebrates the club’s community roots and will be seen by passengers on southbound trains arriving in London, passing Emirates Stadium. Taking inspiration from Highbury as ‘The Home of Football’, the bespoke typeface creates an impactful design. It 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

Courtesy of Arsenal F.C

Eighteen Eighty Six 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 featured on our historic ‘Victoria Concordia Crescit’ crest.

We All Follow The Arsenal

Courtesy of Arsenal F.C

This piece 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

Courtesy of Arsenal F.C

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.

Found a Place Where We Belong.

There are no pictures of this one yet, but it'll 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." 

Arsenal @Arsenal

Behind the design. A collaborative process between supporters and artists. Celebrating the Arsenal community, designed for and by the Arsenal family. 🔗 https://t.co/Va1yVbJWY1

10:36 AM - 12 Jan 2023

Twitter: @Arsenal