The world is shocked to see the extent of racial inequality and police brutality in the USA. Many football personalities and clubs, including Arsenal, have commemorated George Floyd's death with protests.
Thierry Henry took a knee and Arsenal participated in the BlackOut Tuesday collective action. As the Black Lives Matter movement teaches us, black history often gets forgotten so we've decided to give it more visibility and relate it to our favourite club.
The Gunners are one of the most progressive clubs in the UK and the world and their on-field success is often linked with black players and their excellence. So let us present Arsenal's ultimate black XI.
Okonkwo; Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Clichy; Vieira, Thomas, Rocastle; Kanu, Wright, Henry
Subs: Eboue, Sagna, Ashley Cole, Song, Gilberto Silva, Aubameyang, Anelka
- Arthur Okonkwo
Germany, Czech Republic, Colombia, England, Poland... Goalkeepers from so many different countries have represented Arsenal in recent years but there's been one common denominator: they are all white.
That's why we have included Arthur Okonkwo, a relatively unknown Arsenal Academy shot-stopper into the list. Hopefully, he'll become a mainstay at the first team in a few year's time.
There appears to be a prejudice against black goalkeepers in European football but the likes of Andre Onana will surely prove doubters wrong.
- Lauren
The Cameroon international was a part of the Invincible side and that's why his name will forever remain in Arsenal's history books. A reliable right-back, Lauren Etame Mayer set a standard for his position.
He made well over 200 appearances for the Gunners and still remembers the club fondly, acting as its ambassador.
- Kolo Toure
Together with Sol Cambell, the Ivorian made sure no one went past Arsenal's defence in the 03-04 season. The relatively short centre-back was renowned for his reading of the game and on-the-ball skills, which saw him deployed further up in the midfield on several occasions.
- Sol Cambell
The England international made a famous switch from Tottenham in 2001 and became a legend at the Red side of London and won two league titles with the Gunners. Powerful in the air and effective in tackling, Sol was almost impossible to dribble past.
Sterling argues that Sol and other black coaches face a glass ceiling in English football:
- Gael Clichy
It's a question of Ashley Cole versus Gael Clichy at the left-back. The careers of both went similar ways but the Frenchman was at his best at Arsenal while Ashley's departure to Chelsea still hurts. Both were good going forward, possessing near-perfect distribution skills but often lacking defensively.
- Patrick Vieira
There is so much already said about Vieira so we do not know what to add, really. The captain of the Invincible side, a player of Pat's type is still missed at the Emirates. He was a tough tackler and a mental leader, capable of charging the team with energy.
- Michael Thomas
On May 29, 1989, Arsenal needed to win 2-0 at Anfield to be crowned champions of England. The game was coming to an end with Arsenal leading 1-0 thanks to Alan Smith's first-half strike and, in the dying minutes, the midfielder scored the last-minute goal to end Arsenal's 18-year wait for the title.
This was perhaps the highest moment of Michael's career which had many twists and turns, such as signing for Liverpool, to whom he denied the title in 1989.
- David Rocastle
Rocky's contribution helped Arsenal win two league titles, in 1989 and 1991 but his legacy lives further than his on-the-field success. A local boy born in Lewisham, the winger-turned-midfielder was a fan favourite at Highbury.
His life tragically ended in 2001. David died at the age of 33. The cause of death was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer. He is still remembered by Gooners as one of the most graceful players and amiable persons to ever don the club's shirt.
- Nwankwo Kanu
The mercurial forward was not exactly a goal machine at Arsenal (43 goals in 197 games) but 16 years after leaving the club, he is still remembered by Gunners fans for one simple reason.
The 6 ft 6 in (197cm) giant was a rare breed of players who make football look simple. Seeing him play was genuine magic while his goals, albeit not many, brought many important points to the club.
- Ian Wright
The second-best goalscorer in Arsenal's history, Wrighty was an all-round striker who scored left, right and centre. He rose from Sunday league football to a world-beater before anyone ever knew the name of Jamie Vardy.
Perhaps more than his goals, Arsenal fans remember the striker's impeccable commitment and love for the crest. There is simply no other player like him.
- Thierry Henry
The only person who could break Wrighty's goalscoring record. The man who tore opposition defenders into pieces. The Frenchman revolutionised our perception of what it means to be a striker as his athleticism and on-the-ball elegance coupled well with positional awareness and a taste for unexpected decisions.
Henry is widely considered to be Arsenal's best player of all time and there is no better candidate to finish our list of club's finest black footballers with.
Do you agree with our assessment? Who would you change something in the XI? Tell us in the comments or use our blogging platform to express your opinion!
