In his new book ‘Black Arsenal’, Dr. Clive Chijioke Nwonka delves into the long-standing connection between Arsenal Football Club and its black fanbase, highlighting the club’s rich history with black players.
In an interview with BBC Africa, shared on social media, Dr. Nwonka discussed how Arsenal’s legacy of black footballers has resonated deeply with African and black communities, both in the UK and beyond.
One of the pivotal moments he reflects on is Arsenal’s match against Leeds United on September 28, 2002. On that day, Arsenal made history by becoming the first team in the English Premier League to field nine black players in their starting XI. Among these, Thierry Henry, Nwankwo Kanu, and Kolo Toure all scored in a 4-1 victory, a result that solidified the cultural and historical significance of the event. As Dr. Nwonka recalls, “Their performance heightened the impact of this moment of historical and racial significance. It showed that their presence was justified based on their success.”
Dr. Nwonka, now a professor at University College London, explores Arsenal’s role in shaping black cultural history in ‘Black Arsenal’, co-editing the book, which includes personal testimonies and photographs from fans and players alike.
The book captures how the North London club has served as a cultural anchor for black communities.
“I’m a British Nigerian, and seeing black players and African players represented in British football is important to me,” he explained.
In the book, sections are dedicated to analyzing the influx of black players into the Premier League, spurred by Arsenal’s recruitment, and the increasing number of black female fans attending matches at the Emirates Stadium.
“I always felt there was something under-explored about how black people found a connection to Arsenal,” said Dr. Nwonka, reflecting on how support for the club extends far beyond football and into everyday life, seeping into spaces such as workplaces, barbershops, and churches.
During the 1990s, Ian Wright became a figure of immense pride for many black Arsenal supporters, thanks to his charismatic personality and relentless pursuit of goals.
His significance was further cemented by his image on the cover of ‘Black Arsenal’. For Nigerian fans, though, another icon looms large—Nwankwo Kanu. Having risen to fame after scoring the decisive goal in Nigeria’s semi-final win over Brazil during the 1996 Olympics, Kanu’s move to Arsenal in 1999 was a cultural milestone for many Nigerians.
Dr. Nwonka recalled, “Him coming to Arsenal was of particular cultural importance for me and people like me.”
Arsène Wenger’s tenure at Arsenal, from 1996 to 2018, was marked by his dedication to signing African players, nurturing talents like Kolo Toure and Kanu.
Despite criticism from British tabloids for favouring foreign players over homegrown talent, Wenger’s approach was vindicated when Arsenal’s 2003-04 team went undefeated in the Premier League, a feat unmatched to this day.
“It’s one thing to have African players who are doing well and are entertaining, but winning makes a difference,” Dr. Nwonka noted.
Racially charged language continues to be used when discussing black players, with Dr. Nwonka remarking on the pervasive stereotypes associating black athletes with physical prowess over intelligence.
“The way we describe African players or black players more generally in terms of physical prowess, speed, or power has always been heavily racialized and ignorant,” he said.
This season, Arsenal has taken steps to celebrate their African heritage with the launch of a new away kit designed by Sierra Leone-born Foday Dumbuya, incorporating the colors of the Pan-African flag.
The promotional trailer was even filmed in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital. “It was nice to take it back to where I’m from, to look at the way kids connect with football, the way people look at football back in Africa because football is life,” said Dumbuya.
Bukayo Saka, who played a major role in the launch of the kit, has been embraced as Arsenal’s “starboy,” a term used for a young male celebrity.
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Saka has become a symbol of cross-cultural appeal. As Dr. Nwonka put it, “He transcends his race in many ways. He has a cross-cultural appeal being British and Nigerian.”
Saka’s success at both club and international levels makes him an inspiration for future generations of black footballers and fans alike.
Looking back, Dr. Nwonka reflects on how African players like George Weah and Jay-Jay Okocha helped redefine perceptions of African footballers with their skill and talent.
He emphasized, “African players have been some of the most technically gifted players we have seen… And certainly, in the Wenger years, it’s one thing to have African players who are doing well and entertaining, but winning makes a difference.”
For Dr. Nwonka, the connection between Arsenal and black culture is palpable. “When I was a child, I would go to the Notting Hill Carnival, and you’d see Arsenal shirts everywhere,” he reminisced. “The kit became a uniform for London in many ways, and it’s a similar thing on the African continent.”
‘Black Arsenal’ serves as a testament to how deeply intertwined the club is with black history, both in the UK and across Africa.
