Club takes pride in its community

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Published: 26 February 2010
by STEVE BARNETT

THE Gunners celebrated being more than just a football club this week when players turned out in force for Arsenal in the Community’s 25th anniversary.
The celebrations kicked off on Monday when Theo Walcott joined members from the Arsenal short mat bowls team at the Andover Community Centre in Andover Estate, Islington. The bowling club, a partnership with Homes for Islington, was one of the first groups to come together and enjoy an association with Arsenal when it was founded back in 1985. 
Walcott, who managed to place his bowl right next to the jack in his very first attempt, said: “There’s so much more to Arsenal than what takes place on the pitch. This week gives players a chance to see the work that takes place in the community and meet the participants, who are proudly associated with the club and the team.
“It’s important that we know about the work off the pitch at Arsenal to stay connected with our supporters and the area where we play.”
Since Arsenal in the Community’s formation a quarter-century ago, the club has invested more than 5.5 million hours in one million individuals across a wide variety of sporting, charitable, educational and social inclusion projects.
The action-packed week also saw Emmanuel Eboue visit Hargrave Park Primary School in Archway, while goalkeeper Manuel Almunia met pupils learning Spanish through the Arsenal Double Club at St Mary Magdalene Primary in Holloway.
The celebrations continued with manager Arsene Wenger speaking about the role of football in the community and in society at the Emirates Stadium yesterday (Thursday).
Wenger said: “We are very proud to celebrate this milestone. People often only see a little part of the club which is the football team, but there is a tremendous amount of work at other levels and that includes a huge contribution to helping people within our surrounding community and beyond.
“Arsenal has many responsibilities. We pride ourselves on enriching and propelling people’s lives forward by devising and developing projects that help to overcome the ever-changing issues that affect our society today. Of course it’s not the most glamorous part, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the most important one. 
“This week is very important for everyone in the Arsenal community to take a look back at 25 years of dedicated work and participation and reflect upon the future when we will continue the great work and grow even more projects to involve our supporters and the community at large.”