In July, Arsenal Football Club introduced its new alternative away kit for the 2024-25 season. Designed by Foday Dumbuya, founder of the London menswear brand Labrum, and produced by Adidas, the shirt pays tribute to the club’s African fanbase as well as to notable players like Nwankwo Kanu and Kolo Touré, who have significantly contributed to the team’s history. Incorporating black, red, and green details that reference the pan-African flag, Dumbuya, originally from Sierra Leone, aimed to highlight Arsenal’s unique position in the multicultural environment of London and its global appeal to fans such as Spike Lee and Jay-Z. This design follows the club’s green, black, and gold “Jamaica” pre-match kit, which debuted at the Notting Hill Carnival in 2022.
The themes of heritage and community are further explored in a new book titled “Black Arsenal,” released at the start of the season and co-edited by Clive Chijioke Nwonka, an associate professor at University College London (UCL). The book features contributions from cultural scholars and pioneering former players like Ian Wright and Paul Davis and examines how Arsenal has become a genuine reflection of integrated Black British culture. In light of recent racial conflicts, the book serves as a reminder of the progress made in Britain towards fostering inclusion, particularly within the realm of football and the iconic Premier League.
Nwonka emphasizes that Arsenal plays a crucial role in showcasing this hard-earned joy and relaxation in an otherwise tense social landscape. Recently, he discussed the evolution of his book, which began as an academically dense exploration of cultural identity but transformed into a collection of shared memories, capturing the essence of club legends and their significance in relation to London’s culture, arts, and music.
The narrative includes stories about two significant murals that reflect changes in representation among fans. The first mural, unveiled in 1992 at Highbury during the Premier League’s launch, depicted a predominantly white fanbase, prompting backlash and leading to a new mural representing a much more diverse group. By the time a second mural was created for the Emirates Stadium in 2023, Arsenal’s supporters were recognized as truly inclusive of all backgrounds.
Though many football clubs can boast of successful integration, Nwonka asserts that Arsenal stands out due to its historical depth and the cultural connections that bind its community. Reflecting on the past, he recalls how during his youth, the visibility of Black players like John Barnes shaped the perception of Black talent in football. Nwonka also points out how the emergence of players like Ian Wright changed the dynamic in the Premier League, making him a beloved figure not just for Black fans but for many across different backgrounds.
Wright’s arrival at Arsenal was transformative, and he quickly became an idol among young Black Londoners, breaking free from traditional expectations. Nwonka analyzes the cultural shifts that followed Wright’s rise, marking it as a pivotal moment in the representation of Black masculinity in sport and culture. The book also discusses the impact that the club’s Black players, past and present, have had, reinforcing the integration of different cultures within the Arsenal identity.
While celebrating Arsenal’s acceptance and celebration of diversity, Nwonka does not overlook the instances of racism that players like Wright have faced. He includes narratives of abuse experienced during matches as a critical part of understanding both the club and the broader societal context. Through this lens, he critiques the commodification of Black culture by major sporting brands, stressing the importance of authenticity and real connections to the community.
Ultimately, Nwonka believes that while cultural identification and moments in football can be pivotal, they must be deconstructed in the light of deeper societal and structural issues. He urges for ongoing affirmation of progress, stressing that moments of celebration should not overshadow the responsibilities that persist in combating racism and fostering true multiculturalism in sports and society.