After it was announced that eight new joints were to be added to the exterior of the Emirates Stadium, one in particular had caught the eye of many Arsenal aficionados.
Remember who you are he respected the memory and history of the former house of the estate. This stunning representation of the East Stand stadium – one of the football architect’s masterpieces – is firmly rooted in the club’s DNA, with special moments being elaborated by some of the greatest players and actors included in the artwork.
These are outlined in many ‘if you know’, you know details, which will be good for our supporters. Here are some of them – we’ll leave the rest to find out for yourselves!
King Louis & Richard Stubbs
At the start of the consultation process, Reg Lewis’ stepson, Richard Stubbs spoke to us about his love of visiting his beloved stepfather Reg at the Emirates Stadium to talk to him about his previous art.
This view was magical enough to set the club for Richard, so it was decided that the Reg would lower the windows in Highbury so that Richard would honor the tradition of visiting the Reg.
Celebrating in style
In the bottom left of the window, Kevin Campbell, David Rocastle, Paul Davis and Michael Thomas, who all played a role in the 1990/91 friendly title winning campaign (with only one game lost).
The composition of the legendary players of the famous celebration of the picture in the room worshiped after the title shows us. That image was captured by the current photography club, Stuart MacFarlane.
Arsene knows
Arsene Wenger was pictured celebrating, arms raised, as we won the friendly title at White Hart Lane in 2003/04 en route to a historic unbeaten season. In the original picture, the ‘ARSENE SCITS’ flag hangs in the background, cheered by cheering supporters at the end.
The flag was a nod similar to the ‘GEORGE KNOWS’ flag at Highbury, which was celebrated by George Graham and is reputed to have been made by the actor Paul Kaye.
Ken Brother’s blueprints
Mr Frater was the driving force behind the move to the Emirates Stadium. It was a eureka moment when we realized the space in Ashburton Grove – then home to Islington’s “peak” project – could accommodate a new stadium.
We have previously looked at either playing at Wembley, sharing the stadium at Alexandra Palace with Tottenham Hotspur, or building a new stadium outside the M25.
Bob Wilson and David Seaman
Two of our most famous goalkeepers got together as Bob was David’s mentor and best man at his wedding. The whistle around Bob’s neck signifies that he was a PE teacher in Camden when he first played for the club, and thus the last amateur to represent the Gunners.
Whistle is also a nod to his role in the back room as his first goal in the club’s coach.
Jack Kelsey
Another of our sacrificial shooters is painted in a familiar shape, safely catching a high ball. After going on to run a club shop in Avenell Road, Jack also found international fame as a player in the 1958 World Cup, when his star performance in Wales saw him praised by none other than Pele, who played against him in Brazil in that competition.
Alex James
The artistic star of the all-conquering 1930s team, ‘We Alec’ was known to beat defender after defender, sit on the ball for a short rest, and then put on more opponents!
Magnificent Seven Mark Drake
The centre-forward scored all seven of our goals in a 7-1 rout of Aston Villa in 1935. Drake scored goals in the 15th, 28th, 34th, 46th, 50th, 58th and 89th minutes – and also hit the bar. !
The talent remains an English top-flight record and seven goals in his window represent this remarkable achievement. Ted’s son and grandson were involved in every step of the consultation process.
Find out more about our other eight products
Copyright 2023 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use evidence from this article is granted under appropriate credit to www.arsenal.com as the source.