Arsenal’s chase for Champions League glory will be expected to set off huge celebrations across Africa, where the club have one of the largest fanbases outside of Europe.
The Gunners celebrated ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League trophy this week, which led to unbelievable scenes across countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Ethiopia, where thousands flooded the streets with parades and watch parties.
The strong connections between the club and the continent stem back to when broadcasting of the Premier League began booming across Africa during the 90s and early 2000s. Weekly live games broadcast across all houses, bars and viewing centres helped the club build up its enormous fanbases throughout the continent.
This link was solidified even further during the time of the legend Arsene Wenger, where the club boasted several of the continent’s most popular footballing heroes in Nwankwo Kanu, Kolo Touré, Lauren, Emmanuel Adebayor and Christopher Wreh, helping Arsenal to represent a club of opportunity, diversity and quality to supporters.
Social media is to thank for the rise of online communities, fan channels and viewing-along parties to connect fans from London to Lagos and Nairobi to Kampala.
The connection that many African fans have with Arsenal means more than just the football club, as it represents their identity, pride and community. Victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final would result in millions of fans across the continent celebrating a second historic moment in their club’s history.
