In a spectacular celebration of their two-decade alliance, Emirates and Arsenal have proudly unveiled a stunning, 2.4-metre-high installation constructed entirely from repurposed aircraft materials. Showcased at the team’s iconic London stadium, “The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest” represents a magnificent collaboration between Emirates and Arsenal, seamlessly transforming retired aviation components into one of world football’s most instantly recognizable emblems.
This breathtaking illuminated sculpture has been meticulously created to commemorate twenty years of mutual success, aligning perfectly with the extension of their landmark sponsorship agreement through to 2033. Coming on the heels of a triumphant Premier League-winning season for the club, the unveiling marks a brilliant new chapter in one of the longest-running, most celebrated partnerships in global sports history.
Forging Football History with Aviation Engineering
Breathing fresh life into heavy industrial components requires absolute precision. Over an intensive 34-day build period, a highly skilled, 15-person team of designers, engineers, mechanics, and painters merged the rigorous discipline of aviation engineering with the elite standards of professional sports. The bespoke artwork was conceptualized and assembled in-house by Emirates Engineering’s specialized Aircraft Material Upcycling team based in Dubai.
At the very heart of the striking installation sits Arsenal’s famous cannon, an emblem that has defined the club since 1905 and inspired their legendary “Gunners” moniker. To reconstruct this historical symbol, the upcycling team ingeniously repurposed an Airbus A380 main landing gear wheel hub to serve as the cannon’s wheel. Meanwhile, a highly durable titanium bleed air duct was expertly cut and reshaped to form the imposing barrel, and lightweight composite floor panels were layered to create the weapon’s three-dimensional body.
A Shield Built for Champions
The meticulous attention to detail extends to the crest’s formidable shield. The glowing face of the badge was forged using sheets of resilient Boeing 777 aluminium fuselage skin, bordered by adapted aircraft cargo tracks that define its structural outer edge. Throughout the build, the team resourcefully integrated cargo floor panels and roller components to add depth and texture.
Capping off the masterpiece, the signature Arsenal lettering was individually sculpted from genuine aircraft windows and embedded with warm, integrated lighting. Following its meticulous construction in the UAE—which involved cleaning, curving, riveting, and painting the metals to match the club’s exact official color codes—the giant crest was carefully transported to London via an Emirates SkyCargo freighter.
Leadership Perspectives on an Enduring Legacy
The crest was officially introduced to the public by Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, and Richard Garlick, Chief Executive of Arsenal, just prior to their thrilling Emirates Cup match against Borussia Dortmund.
Reflecting on the monumental milestone, Sir Tim Clark eloquently captured the sentiment behind the project:
“Emirates and Arsenal have shared an extraordinary journey over the past 20 years. We have watched the club evolve, welcomed new generations of supporters and celebrated many defining moments together. To mark this anniversary, we wanted to create something permanent that could only come from Emirates and Arsenal. Our Engineering team has transformed components from our Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft into one of football’s most iconic symbols.
The craftsmanship behind the Crest is exceptional. It reflects the precision, discipline and ambition that define both aviation and elite sport, while giving these aircraft materials an entirely new purpose. As we enter the next chapter of our partnership, this sculpture is both a celebration of everything we have achieved together and a statement of our shared ambition for the future.”
Echoing the mutual respect and excitement for the future, Richard Garlick added:
“We’re hugely grateful to Emirates for creating this special tribute to our club and to 20 years of partnership between us. The Crest stands as a powerful reflection of our relationship and everything we’ve achieved together along the way. We enter this next chapter together with confidence, ambition and a shared belief in what lies ahead for our partnership and our club.”
Now finding its permanent home within the hospitality space at Emirates Stadium, The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest stands as a brilliant, towering testament to a shared heritage of industrial strength, engineering excellence, and footballing glory.
