TOGETHER WITH ARTETA
A club once divided by YouTube rants is forging a real bond with fans again and the daughter of Gunners legend ’Rocky’ paints a bright picture for the future
THE Arsenal revival has been one of the best stories of the Premier League season.
Mikel Arteta has assembled a squad which pushed Manchester City in the title race, restored some pride and is building something special for the future.
But at the heart of that success story has been the Arsenal fans who were once divided and were queuing up to go on YouTube and shout about the club’s failings.
Now the turnaround inside and outside of the stadium has been nothing short of remarkable.
Gone are the days of moans, groans and boos when Arsenal go behind. Instead, the crowd get behind the team and cheer them on to comebacks.
Outside, just as striking, the Emirates is decorated with a series of murals with the last of the eight artworks going up this weekend ahead of Arsenal’s final game of the season against Wolves.
It features pictures of more than 700 fans and is entitled “Found a Place Where We Belong” and among the supporters is one really special story.
It is Monique Rocastle – youngest daughter of Arsenal legend David, who tragically died aged 33 – and her family whose unique connection typifies how the club has tried to embrace its glorious past.
She says there is a new feeling around the club now, is convinced Gunners boss
Arteta can bring back the good times and that this season will not just be a flash in the pan.
Lifelong Arsenal fan Monique (depicted in the mural, below) said: “The club have done such an incredible job to connect with the fans.
“The club have kept dad’s legacy and his name alive. We like to think we keep his legacy alive too, but it’s great to see fans of all different ages, different backgrounds and cultures still talking about him and still singing his name.
“Where I am on the artwork there’s a Rocky Rocastle banner underneath as well which makes it special.
“The song never, ever gets old for us.
“I don’t think anyone would argue it’s been a tough couple of years but you can see the progress with Arteta, you can see the club’s ethos and values, and the family aspect which is nice.
“The way the artwork was done, from focus groups, the research and everyone involved even with the accolades with the women’s team and former players like Alan Smith, who is my godfather, him up there, Wrighty and Micky Thomas.
“The history and where it started can never be forgotten and hopefully we can soon add some more trophies to the artwork.
“Arsenal’s history is everywhere with the statues, the memories and pictures when you go inside the stadium. The biggest thing I’ve noticed this season is that when we’ve gone a goal down, previously the mood would have gone down, but now the fans are straightaway cheering them on.
“You’ve seen that with Manchester United at home, Bournemouth at home, winning goals and a lot of those comebacks is down to the 12th man with the fans.
“The Ashburton Army has done a great job, you see the players in a huddle
‘It’s great to see fans still talking about my dad and chanting his name’
‘Now, when we go behind the fans cheer them on straight away’
and I actually feel now, ‘This is our team, these are our players’. It’s the same with the women and what’s really special is that it feels like one club and we’re all together.” Arsenal may not have finished with a trophy – but their success off the pitch has been just as significant.