Arsenal have revealed their new Emirates Stadium artwork to the public and reveals the story behind it, with legends and fans heavily involved in the process.

For years Emirates Stadium had been a living embodiment of Arsenal’s decline. The leaking roof, the fading crests, the peeling paint on the legends wrap; each problem felt like a symbol of a club that had lost connection with its fans.

Those sentiments came to a head when thousands gathered to protest the club’s owners Stan and Josh Kroenke and their decision to enter Arsenal into the European Super League. Supporters felt as though they were being taken for granted and the deteriorating state of their beloved home seemed like proof.

Things have slowly begun to change since then though. The Kroenkes have invested heavily in the overhaul of the squad and on the pitch Mikel Arteta’s side have benefitted from a sense of unity with their supporters. With eight pieces of revamped artwork outside the Emirates Stadium, the club are looking to strengthen that bond even further.

It began in April 2022, when club officials met with a broad and diverse range of supporter groups at the Tollington Arms pub – a regular haunt for many match-going fans. That day began with an almost blank piece of paper, but by the end of the meeting the seeds that would grow into the new artwork outside the Emirates Stadium had been planted.

Since then there have been two further workshops with fan groups to finalise the plans and club staff have looked to tap into their history by reaching out to legends of the past. David Rocastle’s family have been consulted, while Ted Drake’s grandson and Geordie Armstrong’s daughter also helped make up the 50 contributors to the new artwork.

The club has worked closely with various Gunners supporters and Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, critically acclaimed artist Reuben Dangoor, and distinguished graphic designer David Rudnick to create a selection of artwork to transform the North London skyline and revitalize the club’s home as a cultural landmark.