The art installation outside the Emirates which consists of supporters’ clubs’ banners and flags from across the word, including one from Nagaland.
Nagaland Arsenal Supporters’ Club banner takes pride of place in art installation at Emirates Stadium
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 12
There is now a small piece of Nagaland at Asburton Grove, Inslington borough, London, better known as the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club.
On January 12, Arsenal FC unveiled eight new pieces of art that will adorn the Emirates Stadium exterior, transform the north London skyline, and redefine the club’s home as a cultural landmark.
One of the art pieces is titled ‘We All Follow The Arsenal,’ which is a rich tapestry inspired by Arsenal supporters’ connection to the club, wherever they are in the world, from Islington to India and beyond.
Featuring over 150 official supporter groups spanning all continents of the world, the artwork comprises of 187 banners and flags in total. One of this is a banner from Arsenal Nagaland or the Arsenal Supporters’ Club Nagaland. The physical banners are handmade and individually photographed to create the authentic, billowing flag effect.
Along with Arsenal Nagaland, others supporters’ clubs from India whose banners will also be featured at the stadium include Arsenal Nagpur, Arsenal Delhi, Pune Gooners, Bengal Gooners, Arsenal Mumbai, Arsenal Mizoram, Arsenal Bangalore,Arsenal Chennai and Arsenal Indore.
The Arsenal Nagaland flag being photographed in London, before being blown up and installed in the art piece.
The love for top flight football from Europe’s elite leagues in Nagaland has grown from strength to strength in recent decades. Supporters clubs of elite European sides have burgeoned in the State over the years. Arsenal Nagaland was created in 2018 as the Arsenal Supporters’ Club Nagaland.
Arsenal FC does have a small historical connection to Nagaland, with stories that the State’s footballing legend and independent India’s first football captain, Dr T Ao had infamously snubbed a chance to play for the North London giants. He instead chose to come back home and become a doctor.
Ed Hall, a craftsman who hand makes banners and flags, spent hours meticulously stitching together these designs onto flags to be blown up to scale to create the effect of billowing flags. He pricked his finger when working on this masterpiece — blood, sweat and tears right there in the symbolism of it all, reported The Athletic.
Arsenal FC CEO, Vinai Venkatesham in a statement wrote: “The project has brought together our supporters, community, legends and staff as one. It's a real celebration of the Arsenal community, designed for and by the Arsenal family.”
“This has been a fantastic project enabled by so many of the Arsenal family here in Islington and across the world. We genuinely couldn’t have brought this project to life without everyone working together and giving their passion and dedication to this work.”
The other art pieces include ‘Victoria Concordia Crescit’ which tells the story of the club’s iconic players; ‘Remember Who You Are’ which pays homage to the memories and history of the club’s former home, Highbury; ‘Invincible’ that immortalises two of the club’s greatest glories: the women’s Champions League winning team of 2006/07 and the men’s invincible Premier League season of 2003/04; ‘Come To See The Arsenal’ which celebrates Arsenal’s community roots; and ‘Eighteen Eighty-Six’ that symbolises the club’s progress from its founding year in Woolwich through to its move to north London in 1913.
Another piece is called ‘Future Brilliance’ which is inspired by Arsène Wenger’s quote: “Here you have the opportunity to get out the greatness that is in each of you.” The final piece, which is yet to be unveiled is titled ‘Found a Place Where We Belong’ which will be an illustrated crowd scene. The name of the piece is inspired by Dennis Bergkamp’s quote: “When you start supporting a football club, you don't support it because of the trophies, or a player, or history, you support it because you found yourself somewhere there; found a place where you belong.”
