FC Bayern and Arsenal faced each other on a cold day in London. But this time without the Champions League anthem, without tens of thousands of fans, and far away from the floodlights of the Emirates Stadium. Instead, the scene took place on Tuesday evening this week at Barnard Park in Islington. On the eve of the Champions League match, representatives from FC Bayern met children from nearby primary schools who participate in the Arsenal in the Community football programmes. This transformed the usual programme for one evening into a real Champions League matchday and a unique experience for the children.
Representatives from FC Bayern handed out jerseys and small gifts to the children, and the participating primary schools were divided into teams. Half played in Bayern jerseys, the other half in Arsenal shirts. Suddenly, Arsenal and Bayern were actually facing each other in front of the unusual backdrop of Barnard Park, framed by the rows of houses in Islington. FC Bayern legend Thomas Linke was also there, signing autographs, answering questions and taking time for the children. “It was great to see how much enthusiasm and joy the children brought with them,” said Linke. “This evening was very special for the kids, creating special moments is what football is all about. When clubs work together, they can make a big difference in the social sphere and show how powerful football is in society. It’s precisely this closeness to the people and the community that makes football so strong.”
For almost four decades, Arsenal in the Community has been committed to supporting young people in London through a variety of programmes. Every week, more than 5,000 children and teenagers take advantage of the sports, educational and social activities on offer, mainly in the boroughs of Islington, Hackney and Camden. The initiative is firmly anchored within the club and reflects Arsenal's long-standing connection to the local community. Through this structure, the club plays an active role in shaping social structures in its immediate environment.
This special evening ultimately showed that Arsenal and FC Bayern have more in common than just the colour red. Both clubs demonstrated that football is more than just a sporting competition; it is a force that brings people together and gives a voice to those who are not always in the spotlight. This allowed the children from Islington to take centre stage for a moment, as genuine players on a very special matchday.
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