Why Black History Month matters at Arsenal

October is Black History Month in the UK, a time to reflect on what Black people have contributed to British life. At Arsenal, it carries particular weight. The club's name as a culture club comes from its close bond with the local community and connection with a multitude of cultures, including its richness of its Black history.

Why highlight race?

Celebrating Black history does not erase anyone else. As a minority, we are rarely offered the same celebrations on a wide scale, so we look out for one another and uplift our own. The players below each gave something to Arsenal, and together they show how central Black Britishness has been to the success achieved on British soil.

A history shaped by Black players

Brendon Batson made history in 1971 as the first Black player to represent Arsenal. Paul Davis went on to make over 400 appearances between the 70s and 90s. The late David "Rocky" Rocastle and Ian Wright were close friends from South London who ended up at Arsenal together. Michael Thomas scored the winner at Anfield in 1989, which is why we sing "we won the league at Anfield."

Kevin Campbell and Ashley Cole were Hale End boys, and the Wenger era brought Nwankwo Kanu, Kolo Touré, Sol Campbell, Lauren, Bacary Sagna, Emmanuel Adebayor, Alex Song, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira. Today, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Myles Lewis-Skelly carry that story forward for England, alongside the likes of Gabriel Magalhães, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba.

Representation peaked in 2002 when Arsenal became the first English side to field nine Black players, in a 4-1 win at Elland Road. Young Black boys watching at home saw themselves at one of the biggest clubs in the country, and that kind of moment inspires a generation.

More than representation

It was never only about numbers. Ian Wright and Thierry Henry won people over with their personalities as much as their talent. It was Black Boy Joy on the pitch. Wright told VERSUS, "Despite how emotional I looked, football was a happy place, and even now the game continues to give me joy. I saw some of my idols who were Black men on the pitch, and that made me happy."

Henry has spoken about why that mattered beyond the pitch. "[Arsenal] always have been the club of the people, the streets. Arsenal was one of the first clubs to really have black players, so it did represent the mass. The mass of the UK & of how London is. I hope people at the club know that & who they're playing for."

The representation matters even more at England level. Currently, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Eberechi Eze have all represented England as Arsenal players. This is important for young Black children in the UK to see themselves at club and international level.

Saka had become Arsenal's leading England goalscorer, breaking a record that had stood for 86 years. His brace in the 7-0 win over Croatia took him to 19 goals in 59 games for England. A Black Londoner born in Ealing is now the most prolific England scorer in Arsenal's history. For a young fan watching, it shows the national team's story is also theirs to be part of.

As a Black Arsenal fan, I am proud to see so many Black players in red and white. Some may not understand why this needs emphasising, but for young Black Brits, seeing players who look and sound like you matters, whether you dream of playing, working behind the scenes, or coaching in the grassroots game. That is why Black history matters at Arsenal, and why it deserves to be marked every October.