Black Arsenal: how the London club earned its place in Black British culture

Eddie Otchere's latest photography subject is Holly-Marie Cato.

Eddie Otchere On Jungle, Style, And Ian Wright

I was a fan of current trends, even before they were trendy. Football didn't really interest me, except for the fun of being young and getting to kick a ball long distances.

I never used to spend my summer evenings playing soccer or watching soccer games. Soccer was something that happened far away, to other people. But Ian Wright changed that for me. I discovered the world of soccer and became a fan of Arsenal because of him. His excitement every time he scored made me excited too. I supported him and through him, I learned all about soccer. The statistics that control modern soccer can't capture the moments that truly matter. These are times when the numbers just don't add up – there's a magical feeling to them. And leading the way on that magical journey is a dark horse, ridden by Ian Wright, racing out of Brockley into the horizon, down Woolwich High Street.

The Arsenal is like a symbol or representation of itself. It started in the south and then moved to north London, blending the essence of both areas. Its name doesn't limit its connections to just a village, but rather it stands out among English clubs by being the only one with "the" in front of its name. It is a popular stop on the underground and a carefully crafted representation of London's values. The Arsenal holds more significance than other clubs like Chelsea, Brentford, West Ham, Tottenham, Millwall, and Crystal Palace combined.

With that being said... In 1994, London had its own unique sound that reached people all around the world. It was called jungle, and its deep basslines shook the very core of what London could do. During that time, Arsenal finished 12th and Chelsea finished 11th in the league, but I wasn't concerned with the rankings. At the carnival, you could hear M-Beat and General Levy's song "Incredible" everywhere, and in their music video, you could see a young person dancing in the 1993 Adidas Arsenal away kit. I can recall being there myself, wearing the Arsenal shirt with the JVC logo and playing J-League Super Soccer on my Sega Saturn game controller. The future was unfolding right before my eyes as producers from all over London were shaping the sounds of the 21st century. I was getting ready to head out: my camera in my bag, red Ralph Lauren shirt, Moschino trousers, white Reebok sneakers, green Stone Island jacket, Next pants, and Arsenal socks.

Next, we had the clubs to go to: the Astoria on Sunday for Roast; the YMCA on Tottenham Court Road on Tuesday night with Thunder and Joy; Orange at The Rocket on Holloway Road and AWOL at the Paradise in Angel. Our boys were dressed to impress in Versace, Moschino, Ralphie, Armani, Paul Smith, and other top name brands. The young people worked hard for their money, so now it was time to show off and prove themselves.

When Arsenal signed Wrighty, the fans from the south followed him. We watched as this confident player showed everyone that he was the best in London. Nike even made a commercial with him at Hackney Marshes, showing his celebrations after scoring against regular players. The playful energy of the Parklife song reflected the mischievous spirit that surrounded him.

Wrighty was never fully recognized by the kingdom, but he was always beloved by Arsenal, the bold and courageous hero at the forefront. My admiration for Arsenal is closely linked to my admiration for Ian Wright, the glint of his gold tooth in his smile as he chuckles at his own humor. The genuine delight and anguish he experiences as he passionately follows every play and gives his all in the analyst's chair. He is a shining example of south London's greatness, enhanced by his association with Arsenal.

Ian Wright's View On Arsenal's Young Black Talent

During my time at Arsenal in the 1990s, there was a lot of racism going on in the UK. The atmosphere was tense and there were a lot of violent incidents based on race. Whenever Arsenal played against Millwall, there were always problems. The Millwall supporters would hurl racial slurs and even throw coins at me.

One of my favorite moments is when I join the Arsenal fans in the crowd after the game. I often faced boos from fans at other stadiums while playing. Every touch I made would be met with jeers, and people would constantly call for me to be penalized. Some referees seemed to struggle with a Black player like me, unable to handle my fearless attitude. However, their authority only extended to the pitch, and there was nothing they could do to intimidate me.

I now understand the significance of Black Arsenal. We possess talented players, a dedicated fanbase, a rich history of Black players from around the globe, and a strong bond with London. The next wave of players is being led by Bukayo Saka. It's not just about passing on the torch, but connecting two unique generations. I am part of a generation of Black Arsenal players, while Saka represents a new one. He is now the standout player. I am grateful that throughout our history, individuals like Brendon Batson, Paul Davis, Chris Whyte, Rocky (David Rocastle), Mickey (Michael Thomas), myself, Patrick Vieira, and Thierry Henry have always been there to support and champion us.

We are so lucky to have Saka on our team. There is something about him that makes people want to follow him. He is authentic and pure. He is destined for success and will inspire others. He embodies qualities that can empower Black individuals looking for a role model. By wearing the number 7 shirt, previously worn by David Rocastle, and taking the time to learn about him, Saka shows a deep respect for the legacy of the past. This really touches my heart.

Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah are two young men who I admire and fully support.

Arsenal Vs. Leeds: Rodney Hinds, The Voice

When Arsenal was the first team to play nine Black players in a Premier League game against Leeds, I had a feeling that something special was happening. Sitting in the Elland Road stand, I noticed some sort of reaction towards the Arsenal team sheet being read out over the loudspeaker: Seaman, Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Cole, Touré, Vieira, Gilberto, Wiltord, Henry, Kanu. Whether it was nerves from the Leeds fans, respect, disrespect, or a mix of all three, I couldn't quite tell. There were definitely some vibes and murmurs from the home support, as if to say, "Something significant is happening here today."

Ninety minutes later, it was clear that the feelings were right as the Gunners played some of the best football ever seen on the famous Yorkshire pitch. They won 4-1, but they could have easily scored more because they were so dominant. Diversity is talked about a lot nowadays, but it wasn't always a priority in the past. This game was historic and showed a positive example of diversity that had never been seen before. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger had helped change English football with his focus on diet and sleep, but this game and lineup took it to a new level. He had put together a team that was mostly made up of Black players.

If Wenger's team had been ordinary, the story wouldn't be as powerful as it is. They were highly successful as a group, and some players went on to join the legendary "Invincibles" team. They influenced the story for Black players with their excellence. This Arsenal squad reminded me of the dominant West Indies cricket team that brought pride to their community. Just like them, the Arsenal team at Elland Road (and in global football) gave diverse fans at home and abroad a sense of pride.

Today we are discussing legendary managers like Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson who have made their mark in history. I believe that the biggest difference between these two respected managers and Wenger is not just about the number of trophies they have won, but also about Wenger's contribution in popularizing Black footballers in the sport.

I believe that the Premier League wouldn't be as successful and popular as it is today without Wenger and his varied group of players.

Wenger had a vision of the future before anyone else did.