Wright, Henry, Saka: How Arsenal built devoted Black support

[@tomlangdonec]

I'm a white Arsenal supporter who is immensely proud of our clubs Black heritage. I grew up in a very narrow middle England monoculture, but moving to Hackney when I was ten, in ´92, I was hit with colourful, vibrant waves of multiculturalism , at the same time I discovered North London, football, music and The Arsenal. it's one of the many reasons why I love my club so much.

[@Ed-xv4sy]

People like you give me a very SLIGHT hope in society.

[@kg6987]

And this is why I'm so proud to be part of this wonderful fanbase... respect mate 👊🏾

[@runswithcows]

You missed so much but I can't blame you for being too young. Enjoy London, Hackney so much fun.

[@alexissanchezbro]

Love this, man. Love open minded brits like us. When we unite, it’s a beautiful thing. It gets ugly when we drift into central london and drift out to Essex

[@anthonymcken6050]

As a little boy growing up in Jamaica in the 80s and early 90s seeing the likes of Ian Wright, Michael Thomas, Kevin Campbell (RIP), David Rocastle (RIP)and Paul Davies play for Arsenal it made me feel inspired that you could have players from Caribbean backgrounds playing football for an elite English football club. Arsenal, David Dein and George Graham were ahead of their time and they never pandered to slogans and tokenism. It was a case of if you are good enough you are playing for the Gunners. Arsenal won many fans all over the world during that era. Cole and Yorke won Man Utd a massive following in the late 90s.

[@rigsby1454]

Ian Wright was unashamedly black. No timidness, no 'put your head down', he was brash, cocky and knew he was the best. If you insulted him he would take you head on. He's the reason so many black lads of an age support The Arsenal

[@HabitualLine-Stepper]

@rigsby1454 Ian Wright is more English than putting the kettle on. What does "unashamedly black" even mean!?

[@truthoverlies1820]

​@@HabitualLine-Stepperthe fact u said Ian wright is very English is not only tragic but factually incorrect

[@ifeyhome]

​@HabitualLine-Stepper ask your Black friends, if you have any!

[@truthoverlies1820]

​@@HabitualLine-Stepperas for being unashamedly black..it means he didn't pander to those who thought black ppl should just be quiet and timid and never allow themselves to take the limelight in place of white ppl.

[@jasonwarner8219]

Thats partly the point the author was making. Ian Wright and others of his era made it ok to be Black and British or even black and English. In the decades before that, black Brits identified with our mostly Caribbean heritage. Ian Wright was a big deal as he represented a new concept which is now taken for granted

[@runswithcows]

I'm old, I'm white, I'm a Gooner, and I'm from Hackney. Multiculturalism defined me. I think that's a win for me and East London.

[@anthonymcken6050]

Well said.

[@le01jack]

Well said indeed, from one Gooner to another

[@LickyTee]

United fan here, y’all are my favourite enemies 💯

[@nickxcore74]

Nice one mate 👍🏽

[@afroshinobimikeemikee2208]

@@LickyTeesame here I love the rivalry between arsenal and united

[@davespagnol8847]

I'm white and long retired now, but back in the day, a black guy at work volunteered at a mainly-black youth club as a football coach. He supported Spurs! One day at work he told me of his frustration that most of the kids he was coaching supported Arsenal. The reason? They'd seen Paul Davis, Michael Thomas and David Rocastle, and figured that Arsenal were the club that gave young black players a chance. I guess that it's grown from there.

[@razrsliq7623]

I became an Arsenal in 2002 because of 2 players. Nwankwo Kanu Thierry Henry Every Nigerian was 1st an Arsenal fan because of Kanu who is a legend in Africa.

[@BlackBoyJoyPod]

Arsenal have had a long history with black players. Since the 80s, it's always felt like a club where black players can prosper... That being said, not an Arsenal fan, but definitely respect what they've done for the black community in that sense

[@smaugballer7337]

Oh sht up. I've never been an Arsenal fan. Nigerian and always been a Liverpool fan

[@gideonzong]

Many of us nigerian fans between 2000 and 2003 became arsenal fans because of Kanu nwankwo and Henry. Infact on my street and neighboring streets we were mostly arsenal fans because of Kanu.

[@smaugballer7337]

@@gideonzong oga sharap there. Mikel won more Nigerian fans for Chelsea than Kanu ever did

[@gideonzong]

​@@smaugballer7337I see you are very dull. I said between 2000 and 2003. Was Mikel Obi in the premiership then. Please learn to read. "He who talks before listening is worst than a fool" Proverbs 18:13

[@TechSiyaad]

I think Arsenal is the most supported club in Africa.. I am from Somalia for example, and everywhere you see it's more Arsenal than other premier League teams.

[@magharibicomms3891]

Word. Reason we support Arsenal is because they gave African players a chance to shine before others did. Kenyan in Botswana

[@chijohn28]

Sup my peoples I'm Zambian and we have a big and proud Arsenal fan base#Wearethearsenal

[@user-ei7ed6zy9k]

Been badanaa. United is the biggest in Somalia.

[@filmonberhane4255]

I'm Eritrean and I agree. Manchester United and Arsenal so popular here in Africa.

[@ChelseaFCTommy]

Nah it’s Chelsea, sorry.

[@HKNYN1]

All I ever got growing up in the 90s and 00s is “oh you’re black and from London I bet you support Arsenal” and you’re damn right I do.

[@dreday3303]

They were saying that outside of London too.

[@ZTB179]

Just seeing Henry on TV growing up made me believe as a black person I could become anything in this world

[@tshepomalaka9679]

Just like me mate , I always had my eye on Arsenal - initially thinking that their sponsors are so cool (JVC, Sega etc) - then when TH14 scored that volley against Man U I was like damn ! I’m sold 🔥

[@ogopinions9082]

Liverpool fan which is why its taken a while to get around to watching this. I'm suprised it wasn't mentioned in the documentary but Arsenal are the only top flight team I've ever seen field 10 black out field players and this was back in the Ashley Cole and Henry era. I doubt its been done before ore since

[@ronj9933]

France, lol

[@ogopinions9082]

@@ronj9933 I said "Top flight" maybe I should have clarified that means uk old 1st division or new premier league. I have a soft spot for France also as I grew up in a time when people could openly say black players can't be trusted to play certain positions (centre midfield) or be captain.

[@ogopinions9082]

@@mickkynes8010 ok i'll take that if you name the players. Lauren, Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure,Ashley Cole, Patrick Vieira Gilberto Silva, Sylvain Wiltord, Jermaine Pennant, Thierry Henry, Nwankwo Kanu

[@JKM110]

Im from Tottenham, but i support Arsenal because of the connection i had to their black players when i was a kid. Ian Wright is the main reason im a fan lol

[@clevadeva]

Same from Tottenham but I’m a Gooner because of the rich heritage of black players!✔️

[@MH-et4bo]

No yid army in Tottenham

[@HKNYN1]

Tbf most people in Tottenham support Arsenal you have to go to Redbridge and Essex to find spurs fans 😂

[@benm5011]

​@@HKNYN1thats not correct there is a huge fanbase of Spurs in Tottenham & Haringey overall. You guys are young so the likes of Wright & all those black players in the early 90's influenced your choice, in the early 80's Spurs had Crooks, Hughton & Chiedozie when Arsenal never had any till the late 80's. Plus most of the Turks & Greek Cypriots predominantly support Spurs & they are a massive percentage of the population in north London.

[@sunseeker9581]

​@@HKNYN1 What about Golders Green. Very jewish & very spurs.

[@johnmulderrig3234]

I am a 70 year old lifelong arsenal fan .I am irish and saw my first game in 1963 we were known as the ethnics ,the irish, the carribeans, the Italians turks and Greeks followed the arsenal .And as the years went by Africans. Asians and others joined us.at one time 7 of the 1st 11 were irish

[@lionelatokre5203]

I'm from Côte d'Ivoire🇨🇮 and my love for Arsenal is so deep❤

[@obinnaetoamaihe8572]

We had Kolo Toure too from your country,our club legend,an invincible

[@sinewave100]

David Rocastle Forever

[@dexieonrun3012]

Rip Rocky

[@gooner4life518]

Forever, and he's the reason I wore the #7 shirt

[@nancymccarthy4953]

❤

[@100loki001]

I’ve been saying this for years. I’m from south London but Arsenal represents me and my culture. Big up Wrighty, Kevin Campbell, Sol, Henry, Kanu, Thomas and all the boys! COYG ❤

[@RGSMANIA]

You mean all the black boys 😂. Kinda sad to only highlight and identify your culture as people of the same race as you.

[@thelastredcoat1662]

Well for those who don't know, Arsenal are from South London - Woolwich, so that would be expected.

[@desu2783]

Ethiopia is the massive Arsenal fan base in Africa.Our population is around 130million

[@samsonermias6303]

Very true ❤

[@limpfordrisky6290]

I don't even lie about it, I became an Arsenal fan because of Ian Wright, it was like my Uncle was on the pitch and that drew me in and it's the best decision I have ever made. COYG

[@tshepomalaka9679]

Love this 🔥

[@dami7475]

Am Nigerian and I support Arsenal because of Kanuuuu . It brings absolute tears of joy when I look back at how Arsenal made me feel with joy seeing black African players successfully at a club like Arsenal ❤❤🎉

[@kg6987]

Kanu brought the whole of Africa with him when he signed for Arsenal. God bless Papilo

[@runswithcows]

I'm white and English and it brings me so much joy to have Nigerians supporting Arsenal with the same passion that I have for the club.

[@aundraejordine8654]

Paul Davis and Viv Anderson were foundations. Particularly Paul. Black men playing in those central midfield roles which were more technical. Holding and playmaking was not common. Clubs often wanted to play towards speed and power and tricks so Paul being in that role seemed to be uncommon. Icing on the cake was when he knocked a man out. Always so cool but that day he'd had enough. Inspired many of us to not take the rubbish anymore. Salute you Paul 👊🏾

[@summittodo]

I remember when he chinned that Southampton player.. Glenn Cockerel I believe 👊... what you said about black midfielders is bang on, before that they were chosen for their power and speed

[@cbarclay99]

@@summittodo I remember the North Bank singing "Cockerel, Cockerel, how's your jaw', every time he returned to Highbury.

[@andyf750]

Back in the 60s-70s Arsenal had a large Irish, Greek, Jewish support. The far right/NF/BNP never got a foothold on the terraces in the way that they did at other clubs. A hooligan leader, Dainton Connell was black. Our black players didn't get the abuse from their home crowd in the way that others did. This allowed those who came later to flourish.

[@Paul-is4dw]

Well said.Big up the Bear.

[@africareigns]

I'll forever remember Arsenal winning the First Division at Anfield in 1988/89. Alan Smith and Michael Thomas, what a night!

[@xomifred]

That Arsenal shirt has gone platinum in Kenya.

[@creasicle]

When i was a little kid I used to play a game called Sensible Soccer on my Amiga. I used to like to make myself as a player and put myself in Arsenal and England. I always used to make myself black despite being white. A lot of people today might say that's racist or cultural appropriation but I just wanted to be like Ian Wright who was my hero.

[@tshepomalaka9679]

Heartfelt mate

[@SwaggaSmashed]

Big up Jordan for asking the right questions, and big up Clive Nwonka and everyone involved in publishing this book.

[@Alorio-Gori]

True!

[@jjuukoaulaprince2928]

Am from Uganda 🇺🇬 and me and my family were introduced to Arsenal by our Dad because the club had lots of black players especially Theiry Henry, viera, Sol campbell, Ashley Cole, Toure, Lauren and many more

[@SandraOchola-dn4od]

Black culture and black British slang. Big up😊

[@debonairm1908]

Growing up in Africa, Arsenal was the first club team I supported with a passion around 1996 barely as a teen and it was because of Ian Wright. I always remember his goal celebration when he set the goal scoring record. Once Wenger took over the club and the numerous black players he signed plus the overall culture of the club, it was cemented,.Gunner 4 life.

[@Mervin-e7n]

Im 51 and a proud arsenal fan . From Dominica in the Caribbean.

[@dustcore]

I started supporting Arsenal in the mid 90s. Back then, it was unusual to see so many black players in one team. At the time racism was rampant in football. Watching Arsenal I finally felt like I belonged to something

[@cbarclay99]

There were black players before him, but the person who galvanised black support for Arsenal was David Rocastle, who was the fans' favourite in the late 1980s. The sense that Arsenal fans of whatever race loved and cherished black players was consolidated by Ian Wright. You will also find that a lot of older black fans support Liverpool because of John Barnes, not just because of his great performances but for the dignity and superiority he showed when confronted by racist abuse and the bananas thrown at him by Everton fans. Kevin Campbell also deserves a mention. Only ten years after Everton fans were throwing bananas at Barnes, Campbell was Everton club captain, having shown even the most racist of Everton fans that black players deserve respect.

[@Samuel-hd3cp]

I loved Rocky. And I absolutely adore Wrighty.

[@riccccccardo]

I started supporting Arsenal as a kid cos I saw Ian Wright. 😊

[@tekkerz3183]

Big up Jordan from forever arsenal podcast by AFTV on big channel 4

[@smaugballer7337]

He was a sports journalist before AFTV. Stop trying to claim relationship

[@danielmasasire8641]

❤ I am a Zimbabwean Arsenal Super Fan since 1984----When Ian Wright joined Arsenal--Arsene Wenger became My Hero the rest is History..A Gunner for Life....Im an African Gunner .❤

[@mrp8126]

Personally I think the fact that our great club embraces other cultures unapologetically is one of the main reasons we are so disrespected by the media, pundits and referees alike much like AFTV for that matter. There is something deeper rooted than what's on the surface

[@Aan_allein]

Its one of three reasons: 1. Arsenal embrace of black britain 2. Taking on the Northern powerhouses in Liverpool and Manchester United 3. Arsene Wenger ending the careers of English managers at the top clubs and introducing elite foreign players

[@UpperEchelon91]

bro I dont even support Arsenal but have always said its one of the main reasons the media dont like you lot. Arsenal is one of the only clubs who's success isn’t based on a white english player or manager.

[@Bigm_hunna]

@@Aan_alleinbro chose to spit facts ONLY👏🏾

[@lesmartin8131]

Sorry mate but your message looks like the opposite of what you started off with there .

[@f6876]

Arsenal the club that gave black players a chance

[@djpeekay25]

bullshit. They are just sheep. Spurs had more Black support in the 1980s and had Black players. I remember when Arsenal were criticised for having muriel of fans, to cover the construction of the north bank, and didn’t have one Black face. So Arsenal never recognised they had a Black fan base.

[@gymjampooky]

Tottenham.

[@pauladdae3130]

@@f6876 West Brom was actually the first. They had 3 black players in the 1970s: Regis, Batson and Cunningham. Ironically, managed by big Ron Atkinson😬

[@JKM110]

@@djpeekay25not from the 90’s onwards

[@truthoverlies1820]

​@@pauladdae3130just goes to show..just because u give black ppl a chance doesn't mean you're not racist..for example a manager could have a track record of signing very few black players but would never refer to Desailly as the word Ron Atkinson called him.

[@lesleyKhaxab]

ian wright made me an arsenal fan .from africa namibia,,,,,lots of fans here

[@thacrypt223]

As a black man who grew up in Oslo, I fell in love with Arsenal football club because of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Viera. Henry was my childhood hero!

[@athdragoveskel9389]

Finally Channel 4 answers the questions we've all been asking

[@anguyorasulu5576]

I'm from Uganda. I started supporting arsenal in 1996 when I was ten years

[@tumusantrina2055]

For me l don't know how old l was l started to speak learning to speak Arsenal and l was born 1995

[@BestInTheWorld13x]

One of the multiple reasons why I love Arsenal is not just the black culture we have as a black man. Buy we've always been known during those times as a multicultural family club, along winning multiple trophies adding to our rich history

[@anthonymcken6050]

Many teams in the Premier league club fanbases have murky pasts with their own Black players which today they are trying to gloss over or rebrand (cough cough Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton) but Arsenal are not one of those clubs. As the authour of this book said with Arsenal their multi-racial fanbase and teams have just happened organically. The likes of Rocastle, Wright, Campbell, Paul Davies et al won fans all over the world. Optics and visuals are important for young people watching sport growing up

[@lanesrasportsandentertainm5945]

Being Arsenal and Black is a beautiful love story.

[@YoriBaba]

IAN Wright for me. The first time i saw him play. My jaw dropped. My face lit up. I was like who is that dude? He was quick, fast and agile. From that moment i became Arsenal fan.

[@cyprian-o7p]

Those that followed Arsenal in the 90s will have remembered that Arsenal had the highest number of black fans out of all clubs in England at 3% which was a big deal.

[@RMetsy]

Born and raised in Tottenham, Spurs fan. I was a kid in the 90s, I admit Arsenal have always had a diverse fan base, they have huge Asians and Blacks following. I can't say the same for Spurs growing up. Only now it's slowly started to come more diverse because of the connections and sponsors overseas

[@jonaaqua9580]

This club makes me proud every single day…my support for this club won’t ever fade away ❤

[@coleyounger6498]

Ian Wright kicked things off with that, _"Can I kick it (Nike) advert,"_ and his wild celebrations! He was the reason why Arsenal had the Nike deal back then.

[@CampslewTraining]

R.i.p rocky ... thats photo wid thoman, Campbell, davis....THE REASON Im A GOONER..... Arsenal is our club 💯💯💯💯💯

[@kevinwilliams1768]

excellent interview. Good History

[@ashf4612]

Check out Peleja (Brazilian football documentary makers) and their short doc (in English) “how arsenal became a revolution for black people” -it’s really good 👍🏻

[@nattytom7777]

I've supported since 1967. Viv Anderson, Brendon Batson, Davis Thomas Rocky, and so many more ,all the way the black link has always been strong.

[@princedavido]

You’re well aged man. Pray to live longer.

[@nattytom7777]

@princedavido Thank you ,God bless.

[@MeMe-qv6ho]

Jordan's an exponentially better journalist than a podcaster

[@5thdawg917]

My dad's a Arsenal but I made the correct decision of supporting Chelsea, before the Abramovitch era. Desailly, Hasselbaink, Babyaro, Melchiot are the few black players I remember from my childhood. I just preferred the colour Blue. That was my reason as kid to support them.

[@ogopinions9082]

Historically one of the most racist clubs in the country I'm so glad things have moved on! My friends that supported chelsea in the 80s wouldn't go to home games from fear of being attacked by their own fans.

[@sosagecaserol6675]

So proud to be Arsenal. Love from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ❤

[@YerDa67]

You not got a Scottish team?

[@sosagecaserol6675]

@ No of course not

[@sosagecaserol6675]

@ no of course not

[@WilfordMunasheChivende]

I'm a black Arsenal supporter since 1996 becoz of black connection

[@kranestyles2529]

Proud Toronto Gunner here! Love that Arsenal was a club who were BRAVE enough early on to open doors to black players. NUFF respect needs to go to Arsene Wenger for his historical willingness to give black players opportunities to succeed wherever he's been (Monaco, Grampus, etc.). Before he arrived at Arsenal, he INSISTED the club recruit a young Patrick Vieira. Wenger also had the cojones to field 10 black outfield players and keeper Lehmann. MI PROUD YUH SEE???!!! NUFF RESPECT there! 🔥🔥🔥

[@abdullahaanawaleh]

Glad to see Saka becoming an icon like this. Only rose to prominence 3yrs ago but he's a superstar now, hopefully many more years of this like Wright and Henry.

[@anthonyclarke5262]

My three favorite ARSENAL players, WRIGHT, HENRY, SAKA As a Jamaican 🇯🇲 living in 🇨🇦...Ian Wright was who got me hook on watching ARSENAL way back in the 90s as a teenager in jamaica. Henry keeps me entertained, and Saka always amazed me with his dribbling, recently order my SAKA jersey from ARSENAL store. The best entertaining team. Forever a GOONER ⚽️Fan for life.

[@michealdexter1188]

Arsenal will ALWAYS be the coolest club in the UK because of it's deep roots with black culture

[@BestInTheWorld13x]

Well theres other factors on why Arsenal is notorious, but yea being a multicultural club is a massive part

[@garryisaac5546]

To be honest in the early 2000’s that’s why I chose Arsenal as my team when they started carrying to premier league in my country… they had the most players that looked like me and the brand of footy was delicous 😎

[@jay.afc17]

I just wish this book was released sooner. I’ve first heard of it months ago.

[@Adam-ui4ef]

This is why referees hate us

[@laurencematthews6907]

FACTS!

[@razrsliq7623]

Plus nobody can win the EPL unbeaten except Arsenal. They will cry more because Arsenal is getting even better now with The Emirate Stadium and The Kronke Family ready to boost the club

[@tt11138]

Victim mentality

[@kings9634]

😂

[@TheDjSweets]

At last someone absolutely get’s it👏🏾

[@Arsenal-81]

I love my club

[@jaronleslie9190]

Really good piece. I am proud of the club's black heritage, and long may that legacy continue....

[@powlly5738]

For a long time in my youth I was a Tottenham fan. I don't remember when I changed into an arsenal fan. Guess it's the power of a beautiful ball game. Was excited to see see advert of arsenal players thanking Mzansi supporters for their support 🇿🇦 Will be good to win the league this year. Excellent talent and depth in the team 🥇✌️🥳

[@AfroRoadTripper]

Arsenal were one of the few London teams with substantial blacking playing staff, I started supporting arsenal as a kid from Ghana, just because of the black players I saw, Micheal Thomas Rocastle and later Ian Wright.

[@j_dyme]

Great vid Jordan, u asked the right questions 👊🏾

[@MrMusic238]

Great job Jordan, very insightful!

[@steve3780]

Big up Jordan representing the Arsenal massive!!!

[@kwamedukes]

Great stuff, Jordan. Big up.

[@Afuru1]

Support for Arsenal coincided with the birth of Multi choice in 1998 when Viera, Kanu, Anelka and co where fighting Man Utd dominance. Multi choice (dstv) brought live premier League to Africa when Arsenal was rising...

[@kwameboadukissi426]

Actually I started supporting Arsenal in the 80s because of Paul Davies, not necessarily solely because he is black, but mainly because I played in the same position as he did and seeing a black player in that position in a team with a contingent of black players, I kind of naturally drifted to supporting the team too.

[@deanashraf12]

Only Glenn Cockerill's jaw would disagree😂

[@josealejandro2649]

I'm a strong Ugandan fan. Been loving the club right from high school, 2002 immediately after enjoying my first full world club tournament

[@eyobgebreselassie511]

Arsenal is number one loved and supported club in Africa.

[@cedifrederick6470]

A brilliant book, a brilliant video and a brilliant club! My club!! Now just need to get the women’s team to catch up!

[@emdawgz1]

I only started watching Premier League when it started being broadcast in the US on USA network..... I was drawn to Arsenal and Liverpool because they fielded diverse teams.... I knew nothing about the history. Thanks for this!!

[@edmondkelly8067]

I'm from guinea conakry but I support Arsenal because Henry

[@ted5669]

London is mostly black so I guess that’s the main reason. Arsenal have had legendary black players

[@yoogeo1]

The premises of the question funnily enough also speaks to the reason the media dislikes arsenal so much

[@NorthEagle95]

I grew up in southwest London in the 80s and 90s. Lots of overt racism at grounds back then. Arsenal was the only London ground I could go to and feel accepted and safe. I love The Arsenal for that. Could never get my head around black fans who could stand next to a fellow supporter who was screaming racist comments at black players. A certain southwest London club was notorious for that.

[@zeezee3513]

Millwall? Lots of black Millwall fans historically. Ian Wright for instance.

[@NorthEagle95]

@zeezee3513 Millwall is not in southwest London.

[@BladimirButin]

@@zeezee3513 The club that was irrelevant before my comrade Abramovich 🇷🇺

[@zeezee3513]

@@NorthEagle95 My bad, apologies. Which club is it though?

[@carltonlambert7608]

​@@zeezee3513The one with a girls name.

[@danx3504]

I'm a indigenous black fella from Australia I'm a Gunner 4 Life. I think this club also needs to invest in Asian players from Korea or Japan as they have so much talent. We need like a Son who plays for Spurs to play for this great club. We need to expand not just in Africa

[@Pwnziillaaaa]

Meanwhile Chelsea was a recruiting ground for the National front

[@thesaintst1851]

Enzo… for real

[@MH-et4bo]

And rent boys

[@husseinosman1997]

Chelsea has a massive fanbase in Africa

[@Pwnziillaaaa]

@ yeah because the Africans have no idea what Chelsea was like as a club before abramovic. Anti black club. They just liked the manufactured success with oil money. No idea that the Chelsea fans were openly white supremacist racist.

[@Pwnziillaaaa]

@ no self respecting African should support Chelsea.

[@worldmedic3187]

I'm an Arsenal fan from Chicago. In the 90's I wanted to support an English team and looked at all the logos to make my decision. I was very young so looks were everything. Then fell in love with the club. I'm of Guatemalan and Mexican decent and was the only Chicano Arsenal fan in the area

[@grime_garage]

My dad worked for Highbury Ford , his work place used to hire the 5 a side in door pitch at Highbury and I used to go with him.

[@cmurillophoto]

Well done Jordan! Brilliant reporting!

[@GSE21]

I'm from South London and started supporting Arsenal because of my older brother in the 2006/7 season, to only find out later on in life that my Aunties and Uncles grew up in the same estate and went to the same school as Ian Wright and David Rocastle.

[@djpeekay25]

@@GSE21 irony is Ian Wright played for Palace which has the most Black players on their books

[@crisruhinda5659]

Started supporting Arsenal in 1998. Black players have changed mindset in Africa we have on Europe football.

[@cyb3rG33k]

This is exactly why I support Arsenal, because I saw myself in some of these players.

[@apc4y]

There have been large numbers of Black and other ethnic minority groups at The Arsenal since the 60s and early 70s. I remember as a young teenager being one of many at the back of the Highbury North Bank, early 70s. #COYG

[@integrito3323]

I am from Barbados and I love Arsenal.

[@thabophoku5374]

Big up Jordan!! Came here from Fourever Arsenal.

[@brendonthomas2555]

There are so many iconic Arsenal players of African ethnic origin it's no surprise that so many in the African diaspora love the club. It's a visibility and an identity thing.

[@Samuel-hd3cp]

You could say the same thing for Crystal Palace.

[@EdiDrums]

Shouts to all the 1980s trailblazers alongside Paul Davis and Michael Thomas: Viv Anderson, Raphael Meade ... even Chris Whyte and Gus Caesar. An inspiration to some of these would have been Clive Best, a 1960s trailblazer at West Ham.

[@matty3870]

This is the real reason opposition fans, certain pundits, and the PGMOL dont like us. This is the way....

[@kidkieran77]

No it’s not. People don’t like Arsenal because Arsenal have an holier than thou attitude.

[@gyre_sa]

I hope this book gets more attention. Any chance we can get it in South Africa?

[@shimMakepeace]

Do one on Brown and Yellow people

[@Samuel-hd3cp]

Brown and yellow people have been welcome at Arsenal for decades.

[@ne270]

@@Samuel-hd3cp They have, but they don’t get anywhere near the same publicity as black people for some reason. I guess because they haven’t had players from British Asian backgrounds?

[@abzigwe3656]

I live bang in the middle of Arsenal and Tottenham. Ian wright made me choose Arsenal.

[@kuziva2100]

The Arsenal (Uncle Wrighty & Co) was the embodiment of the whole cultural vibe of that era...if you know, you know❤❤❤

[@thesaintst1851]

Maybe lose the “Uncle “ too close to being misrepresented as Uncle Tom.. but excellent comment

[@MH-et4bo]

As a Somali girl from Finsbury it was Kanu that won our family over!

[@ThomasMacky]

King Kanu 4 Ever

[@hawkfalconbirdman3804]

Genuinely proud to be an Arsenal fan. For footballing reasons and for many more non-footballing

[@rudhi87]

Thank you Jordan 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 much love from Arsenal. Adore Fourever Arsenal by the way.

[@coyotelong4349]

Even as a (white) Spurs supporter, I’ve got deep respect for some of the legends and class acts that have played for Arsenal Henry, Wright, Rocastle are the first that come to mind (not Sol Campbell lol)

[@RMetsy]

I agree

[@grinchoi1]

I am an American and a lifelong Barcelona fan because my favorite players growing up all played for Barcelona. I also supported the values of the club "Mes Que Un Club" especially during the Franco regime etc. In England I've always been drawn to Arsenal and rooted for them. Now i realize it's no coincidence. I love the multicultural integration and the support for the black players to wear their colors!

[@Targaryen_Historian]

Arsenal football club and its culture caters more to the Black community. Whether it be their former players or current players, their fanbase, all of it tilts far towards the Black community. Their biggest fan representation online is AFTV, run by a Black man and which has more black contributors than any other channel. The fans they do fancams with after the games also happen to be majorly Black. London itself as a city has probably the biggest portion of Black people compared to any other place in England.