🎙️ Men in Blazers •September 16, 2026 •⏱️ 37 min

Ezra Collective's Femi Koleoso on Black Arsenal, Thierry Henry, and DJ’ing the Title Parade: Men in Blazers 09/16/26

1. Executive Overview: Core Theses & Key Revelations

The landmark episode of Men in Blazers broadcast on September 16, 2026, featuring Mercury Prize-winning musician and Ezra Collective leader Femi Koleoso, represents far more than a standard post-championship victory lap. It stands as an authoritative manifesto defining the contemporary cultural, sociological, and psychological architecture of Arsenal Football Club following their long-awaited Premier League title triumph—their first in twenty-two years since the historic 2003/04 Invincibles era. Speaking with raw authenticity, Koleoso provided a masterclass in how football, musical expression, and diasporic identity intersect within the modern metropolis of North London.

Central to Koleoso's analysis is the articulation of four core theses that unpack the profound transformation of the North London institution:

  • The Conceptual Blueprint of "Black Arsenal" as a Borderless Nation-State: Koleoso formalizes "Black Arsenal" not as a mere marketing slogan, but as an umbrella framework for diasporic belonging. For generations of Black Londoners and global fans across West Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, traditional markers of national identity ("English" or "British") often felt incongruous or exclusionary. Arsenal Football Club, through its pioneering visual representation of Black excellence, emerged as an alternative civic homeland—a club functioning with the emotional authority and patriotic devotion of a sovereign country.
  • The Psychological Shift from Banter-Era Paranoia to "Galactico" Entitlement: Decades of heartbreak, systemic refereeing friction, and internal fanbase fragmentation cultivated a defensive "siege mentality." Koleoso highlights how manager Mikel Arteta systematically dismantled this victimhood architecture. Arsenal has now crossed a psychological threshold, adopting a Real Madrid-style aura characterized by supreme self-belief, technical arrogance, and an expectation of victory regardless of match state or opponent.
  • The Canonization of Eberechi Eze and Narrative Structuring: Koleoso introduces a provocative re-ordering of Arsenal's legendary pantheon, placing contemporary playmaker Eberechi Eze alongside Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Patrick Vieira, and David Rocastle. Significantly, Koleoso reframes Eze's heartbreaking penalty miss in the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest not as a failure, but as a classic cinematic "sequel" setup—a vital narrative tension point preceding ultimate European redemption.
  • The High-Art Convergence on the Title Parade Bus: As the official DJ positioned atop the championship parade bus navigating the packed streets of North London, Koleoso experienced the ultimate synthesis of high culture and working-class celebration. Playing Ezra Collective's track "Move" precisely as Arteta concluded his coronation speech, synchronized with fireworks, marked the definitive integration of London's Afrobeats/jazz renaissance with the club's institutional triumph.

2. Context & Background: The Landscape Leading to This Conversation

To fully grasp the significance of Koleoso's reflections in September 2026, one must examine the dual historical timelines that converged to create this watershed moment: the decades-long evolution of Black representation in English football and the twenty-two-year competitive wilderness endured by Arsenal Football Club.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, English football was fraught with racial hostility, systemic exclusion, and overt stadium antagonism. While many clubs struggled to integrate non-white players, Arsenal, under the management of George Graham, established an essential sanctuary of talent. Early trailblazers such as Paul Davis, Michael Thomas, and most iconically, David "Rocky" Rocastle and Ian Wright, planted the seeds of a unique cultural identity. Rocastle and Wright were not merely elite footballers; they were unapologetically London. Their body language, street-level charisma, and joy defied the rigid, stoic norms of traditional British sports culture.

The arrival of Arsène Wenger in 1996 transformed these initial seeds into an international multi-ethnic masterpiece. Wenger recognized that technical elegance and physical power could be unified through global recruitment. This trajectory reached an historic milestone in September 2002 during a match against Leeds United, where Arsenal fielded nine Black outfield players. In a society where Black representation in boardrooms, politics, and mainstream media remained severely limited, Arsenal's starting eleven presented a startling vision of meritocratic excellence and diasporic dominance.

Historical Era Key Figures & Milestones Socio-Cultural & Tactical Signifiers
The Foundations (1980s–1990s) David Rocastle, Ian Wright, Paul Davis, Michael Thomas Raw North London street style, anti-establishment joy, dismantling stadium hostility through elite skill.
The Wenger Golden Era (1996–2004) Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Nwankwo Kanu, Kolo Touré, Ashley Cole, Gilberto Silva Technical perfection, physical dominance, the 2002 Leeds milestone (9 Black outfield starters), Invincible 2003/04 season.
The Wilderness & Reconstruction (2004–2023) Emirates stadium transition, financial austerity, fan fragmentation, Mikel Arteta appointment Trauma of trophy droughts, online banter culture, tactical vulnerability, gradual rebuilding of cultural non-negotiables.
The Title Renaissance (2024–2026) Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, William Saliba, Mikel Arteta Real Madrid-style Galactico swagger, high-art cultural integration, 2026 Premier League championship, diasporic unity.

However, the aftermath of the 2003/04 Invincibles season ushered in two decades of profound structural testing. The financial strain of constructing the Emirates Stadium forced Arsenal into a period of austerity, resulting in the annual departure of team captains and marquee stars. As major trophies dried up, the club became the primary target of online banter culture. The emotional distance between the fanbase and the team widened, marked by toxic stadium atmospheres and social media vitriol.

Mikel Arteta's appointment as manager initiated an exhaustive cultural reset. Arteta recognized that tactical systems alone could not restore Arsenal; the club required a complete restoration of soul. By establishing strict behavioral standards, purging toxic elements, and uniting the fanbase behind a shared identity, Arteta created the environment for local, diaspora talent to flourish. The current squad—led by figures like Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke—represents the direct lineage of Rocastle and Wright, possessing both world-class technical execution and an intrinsic bond with the London community.

3. Deep-Dive Thematic Breakdown

3.1 The Sociological Blueprint of 'Black Arsenal' and Diasporic Ownership

Koleoso's detailed exploration of "Black Arsenal" offers a profound sociological framework for understanding identity formation in post-colonial urban centers. For second- and third-generation immigrants growing up in London, traditional national constructs often carried complex baggage. The terms "English" or "British" frequently felt abstract or legally conditional. In contrast, "Londoner" offered an immediate, inclusive civic identity. Arsenal Football Club provided the visual symbol and emotional flag for this identity.

"The word English, it makes sense, but it doesn't quite work for me. Then the word British, it makes sense, but it doesn't quite work for me. But you see being a Londoner, now that makes sense. And then I've got a flag and a t-shirt to wear and it's red and white." — Femi Koleoso

This dynamic extends far beyond the geography of the United Kingdom. The presence of players with Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Afro-Caribbean roots—bearing names like Bukayo, Eberechi, and Noni while speaking in authentic London cadences—created a powerful feedback loop across the global African diaspora. In cities like Lagos, Accra, and Kingston, wearing an Arsenal shirt became a badge of cultural alignment. Koleoso notes that supporting Arsenal in Lagos feels entirely natural because the club has consistently reflected West African talent and pride on the world's most visible sporting stage.

Furthermore, Koleoso highlights the stadium chant dedicated to Patrick Vieira ("He comes from Senegal, he plays for Arsenal...") as a transformative moment in youth culture. During an era when African heritage was sometimes subjected to ignorance or prejudice in UK schools, tens of thousands of supporters singing in unison to celebrate a West African leader elevated that identity into a source of immense pride. Football stadium vocal traditions, often associated with division, were converted into an instrument of validation and empowerment.

3.2 Psychological Transformation: From Banter-Era Siege Mentality to Galactico Entitlement

One of the most striking analytical insights provided by Koleoso is the psychological shift engineered under Mikel Arteta. During the years of competitive decline, Arsenal developed a defensive "siege mentality." Fans and players alike felt targeted by hostile media narratives, biased refereeing decisions, and relentless rival mocking. While this mentality fostered a tight-knit camaraderie among the faithful, it was inherently reactive—a psychological fortress built on paranoia and victimhood.

The 2026 title triumph permanently shattered this defensive posture. Koleoso asserts that Arsenal has transitioned into an era of "Galactico energy," drawing direct parallels to Real Madrid's legendary mental fortitude. This psychological state is defined by absolute self-belief: the conviction that Arsenal can defeat any opponent, anywhere, under any circumstances.

Tactically and emotionally, this shift alters match dynamics. Trailing 2-0 at the 75th minute against an opponent like Liverpool no longer triggers panic or resignation among the Emirates crowd. Instead, the collective expectation is an inevitable, dominant comeback. Koleoso frames this through a thermodynamic model of fandom: years of suppressed hope and endured pain act as stored potential energy. When released through championship validation, that energy transforms the club's environment into an intimidating psychological force.

3.3 The Top Five Pantheon and the Canonization of Eberechi Eze

Koleoso's selection of his top five Black Arsenal players of all time provides a fascinating lens into how sporting legacy is evaluated beyond simple statistical output. While statistical purists might question the inclusion of contemporary figures over historical stalwarts, Koleoso's criteria prioritize emotional impact, cultural resonance, and big-game iconoclasm.

Rank Player Era Primary Cultural & Tactical Justification
1 Thierry Henry 1999–2007, 2012 The absolute architect of modern footballing "aura." Combined unmatched speed, grace, and arrogance.
2 Ian Wright 1991–1998 The heart and soul of Black London swagger. Expressed anti-establishment joy and clinical goalscoring.
3 Patrick Vieira 1996–2005 The ultimate midfield captain. Represented physical steel, tactical intelligence, and uncompromising leadership.
4 David Rocastle 1985–1992 The foundational spirit of the club. Embodied North London youth culture, technical skill, and total devotion.
5 Eberechi Eze Contemporary North London Derby hat-trick against Tottenham; archetype of resilience after multiple youth academy releases.

The inclusion of Eberechi Eze at number five—ahead of legendary figures like Nwankwo Kanu (who received an honorary mention), Kolo Touré, and Sol Campbell—demands deep examination. Eze's journey mirrors the classic London street football narrative. Released by multiple academies during his formative years, Eze persevered through the Football League before earning his marquee move to Arsenal. His stunning hat-trick against fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur instantly cemented his place in club folklore.

Significantly, Koleoso addresses Eze's missed penalty in the UEFA Champions League final against European opposition in Budapest. Rather than viewing this heartbreak as a stain, Koleoso interprets it through the classic structure of dramatic storytelling. In Koleoso's framework, true Arsenal icons rarely experience linear, effortless perfection. The missed penalty is not a final defeat; it is the essential narrative complication that sets up an inevitable, triumphant sequel in subsequent European campaigns.

3.4 Aura as a Tactical and Stylistic Metric: Henry, Wright, and Modern Archetypes

In modern sports discourse, the term "aura" is frequently used as colloquial internet jargon. However, Koleoso elevates aura into a tangible metric of competitive psychological advantage. He argues that Thierry Henry did not merely possess aura; for an entire generation of football fans born in the 1990s, Henry defined the concept entirely.

Henry's aura was both aesthetic and functional. His signature style—pulled-up socks extending over the knees, effortless posture, and supreme composure in front of goal—intimidated defenders before the ball was even kicked. Schoolchildren across London and around the globe emulated his gait, his footwear, and his celebrations. Henry demonstrated that supreme technical arrogance, when backed by relentless work ethic and elite output, could disarm opposition defensive structures.

Similarly, Ian Wright established the precursor to this aesthetic through his uninhibited expression of London youth culture. Wearing leather bomber jackets, snapback caps, and celebrating goals with unbridled joy, Wright shattered the traditional, stoic conventions of English football. Patrick Vieira complemented this flair by serving as the physical enforcer—described by Koleoso as "the lion guarding the cannon." Vieira's willingness to engage in intense physical combat, even at the cost of frequent red cards, signaled to opponents that Arsenal would never be bullied.

3.5 The Soundscape of Championship: Ezra Collective, Parade Logistics, and High-Art Convergence

The climax of Koleoso's narrative centers on his personal role as the official DJ atop the championship parade bus as it traveled through North London. This moment represented the complete alignment of London's artistic renaissance with its footballing triumph. Ezra Collective, having previously secured the prestigious Mercury Prize for their groundbreaking blend of jazz, Afrobeats, and hip-hop, provided the literal soundtrack to Arsenal's victory celebration.

Koleoso detailed the intense pressure of executing the sonic cue following Mikel Arteta's victory address to the assembled crowds. The moment Arteta concluded his speech, Koleoso dropped Ezra Collective's high-energy track "Move," triggering an explosion of fireworks and collective euphoria across the streets. Koleoso described the scene from his elevated vantage point: grandmothers dancing alongside grandchildren, tears of relief from lifelong supporters, and young players celebrating the fulfillment of childhood dreams.

Importantly, Koleoso highlighted how the parade eliminated the financial and logistical barriers of modern football. Unlike stadium matches bounded by ticket prices and limited capacity, the parade reclaimed public urban space. Hundreds of thousands of fans gathered on equal terms, transforming North London into an open-air carnival of communal joy and diasporic celebration.

4. Speaker Perspectives & Analytical Contrast

The dialogue between guest Femi Koleoso and the host of Men in Blazers creates a rich analytical contrast between two distinct narrative perspectives. While both speakers share a deep reverence for Arsenal's achievement, their analytical frameworks diverge in revealing ways.

Koleoso speaks from an insider perspective—rooted in lived West London and North London experience, musical composition, and organic community connection. His commentary is inherently qualitative, emotional, and sociological. He views football events through the lens of artistic narrative, diasporic identity, and emotional resonance.

Conversely, the host approaches the conversation through a classic journalistic and literary lens. The host frequently frames Arsenal's journey using grandiose mythological metaphors—referencing Homeric odysseys, biblical narratives of death and rebirth, and theological tropes. This framing seeks to universalize Arsenal's triumph, translating local London subcultures for a broader international audience.

Analytical Theme Femi Koleoso's Perspective Host (Men in Blazers) Perspective Synthesis & Editorial Assessment
Diasporic Identity & "Black Arsenal" Lived experience; visceral sense of civic belonging; direct connection between West African heritage and London accent. Sociological milestone; historical comparison to biblical lineages (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and societal representation. Arsenal serves as both a localized community anchor and a global diasporic symbol, bridging urban identity with international brand reach.
Psychological Evolution Transition to "Real Madrid-esque" Galactico energy; total expectation of late comebacks and unshakeable self-belief. Homeric odyssey; resolution of decades-long suffering, public mockery, and relentless trial by fire. Arteta's cultural overhaul converted historical trauma into stored psychological energy, creating a resilient championship mindset.
The European Penalty Miss (Eze) Narrative setup for a cinematic "sequel"; necessary dramatic complication before ultimate European glory. Symbol of heartbreak and the bittersweet nature of high-stakes footballing drama. Reframing sporting setback as narrative progression maintains squad morale and fan unity during European campaigns.
Cultural Impact of the Parade High-art jazz fusion with street celebration; elimination of ticketing barriers; personal validation as artist and fan. Democratization of sports joy; mass communal catharsis across generations in North London. The championship parade demonstrated the power of sports to reclaim public space and unite diverse urban populations.

5. Strategic & Industry Implications

The insights articulated in this broadcast extend far beyond emotional storytelling; they carry profound strategic implications for sports business management, squad building, and global media positioning.

From a commercial and brand management perspective, Arsenal's explicit alignment with "Black Arsenal" and London's creative vanguard provides a distinct competitive advantage. In an era where global sports brands often produce sanitized, generic marketing campaigns, Arsenal's organic connection to music, fashion, and diasporic culture resonates deeply in key growth markets across Sub-Saharan Africa, North America, and European metropolitan centers. By celebrating figures like Femi Koleoso and integrating local musical talent into official club operations, Arsenal reinforces its position as the premier lifestyle and cultural brand in global football.

Regarding recruitment and squad architecture, the success of players like Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke validates a talent pipeline centered on London's rich grassroots ecosystem. Technical directors and scouting departments globally must recognize that recruiting players who possess an intrinsic cultural connection to a club's identity yields tangible psychological dividends. Players raised within the cultural fabric of a city display heightened resilience, deeper community accountability, and enhanced tactical commitment during high-pressure championship races.

Finally, the broadcast highlights a fundamental shift in sports media consumption. Traditional punditry focused strictly on tactical diagrams and statistical metrics is increasingly complemented by authentic, artist-led commentary. Platforms like Men in Blazers demonstrate that engaging with musicians, artists, and cultural leaders yields richer, more comprehensive coverage of sports as a socio-cultural phenomenon. Future sports broadcasting models will increasingly leverage these cross-industry collaborations to capture younger, multi-faceted audiences.

6. Looking Ahead: Unresolved Questions & Next Milestones

As Arsenal enters this new era of championship dominance, several vital questions and operational milestones will determine the long-term sustainability of their success:

  • Translating Domestic Dominance to European Silverware: Can Mikel Arteta's squad convert their Premier League title into UEFA Champions League glory? The narrative "sequel" for Eberechi Eze and his teammates requires delivering a European crown to cement their status alongside the greatest teams in football history.
  • Managing the "Galactico" Psychological Equilibrium: While adopting Real Madrid-style confidence has elevated Arsenal's performance, coaching staff must ensure that supreme belief does not slide into complacency or tactical indiscipline against lower-block domestic opponents.
  • Squad Depth and Financial Sustainability: Maintaining a championship roster while navigating stringent financial regulations requires continuous squad rotation and astute transfer market execution. Sustaining the core of Saka, Eze, and Saliba while integrating emerging academy talent remains paramount.
  • Preserving Cultural Authenticity Amid Global Expansion: As Arsenal's international profile explodes following their title win, club executives face the ongoing challenge of preserving the intimate, community-driven "Black Arsenal" identity that fueled their rise, ensuring that commercial monetization does not dilute local fan connection.

The 2026 title triumph and the reflections of leaders like Femi Koleoso mark the beginning of an extraordinary chapter. Arsenal Football Club has not merely won a trophy; they have reclaimed their identity, re-written their narrative, and established a blueprint for cultural and athletic dominance in modern sport.

💬 Key Quotes & Speaker Breakdown

Premier League title race

"I think we're going to walk into an era of Arsenal knowing we're the best. I feel like there's going to be a kind of Real Madrid-esque, we can beat whoever we want, whenever we want, Galactico energy to this Arsenal team."

— Femi Koleoso

Arsenal history

"Arsenal were the first club to have that on-field lineup mirror that off-field community. In context, there wasn't a lot of Black excellence in the rest of English society."

— Femi Koleoso

Champions League final

"When Eberechi Eze missed that penalty in the Champions League final, in the weirdest way, it's so Arsenal. He wasn't losing, he was just setting up the sequel."

— Femi Koleoso

Arsenal identity

"Black Arsenal is kind of an umbrella term for how so many Black people from London and way beyond feel about that club."

— Femi Koleoso

Arsenal culture

"The Arsenal way is never the peaceful way. It's always just kind of, you've got to make some drama of it."

— Femi Koleoso

Arsenal player rankings

"I think you have to put Eberechi Eze in my top five Arsenal players. You can't score a hat trick against Tottenham and not end up in the pantheon. They should have built a statue on that day for him."

— Femi Koleoso

Arsenal title parade

"I was stood up on this bus, and they're like, 'Super Mikel Arteta is going to do a speech.' And at the end, when he finishes, play the song, and there's going to be fireworks. That was the best day of my life, easy."

— Femi Koleoso

Thierry Henry legacy

"I don't know if I could say Thierry Henry invented aura, but as a boy born in 1994, he invented it for me."

— Femi Koleoso

Fan psychology

"It's the hope that kills you, but sometimes it's the hope that gives you the life."

— Femi Koleoso
📜 View Full Episode Verbatim Transcript 38,120 characters
You're listening to the Men in Blazers media network suboptimal radio. Arsenal is a very, very unique and powerful club in a sense. It's an identity. It's a sense of belonging. And then it's kind of like re-emphasized when they sign Nigerian names, but have accents like mine, Bukhaya, Sakai, Burechi, Ezra, Noni, Maduakai. They're Nigerian kids. That sound like me. And suddenly, this sense of representation ends up making you feel so proud. And Black Arsenal is kind of like an umbrella term for how so many Black people from London and way beyond feel about that club. My name is Femi Kolioso, and I am a musician from North London. I'm in the band Ezra Collective, and yeah, I DJ, I do radio and everything in between. Joyful jazz, fuse with a touch of fellow cootie and a dose of afrobeat. A little bit of everything. A bit like London, do you know what I mean? Just a little bit. Make a big note in part of all the things I love. Take us back to the source. Why Arsenal? I didn't have a choice. It was one of those ones. You're Nigerian, you're Black, you're from North London, and you support Arsenal. My uncles and die-hard Arsenal fan. So before I even really had much of a choice, I was signed up as a junior gunner. And yeah, that was it. That's why Arsenal. I love your quote before we even had our passports, we had our junior gunner. Exactly that. Yeah, really the question should be to Arsenal, why Femi? It was like they chose me, do you know what I mean? You grew up idolizing Teryon Reed Patrick Vier. Do you know what it is? Whatever you loved the most, think about your favourite mill, your favourite painting, your favourite album. That's what Patrick Vierre is on a football pitch. He had it all. He was a bold fighter, but also so skillful. There was something about those players, Vierre and Teryon Reed and a bunch of the others, which it kind of just felt like when they were on the pitch, we're just not losing today. And that feeling is just magical. Do you know what I mean? It's almost like watching a replay of your favourite film knowing that the hero wins at the end. There was the phrase, june s'iquah. I don't even know what it means, but it sounds right. That's how you described that, man. It was just, it was elegance. It was a lot of people talk about aura in today's game. You haven't seen aura like a player like Teryon Reed. It was just like there was a swagon and arrogance to it. He knew how good he was, but still managed to surprise you, the fan of how good he actually was. He could get the ball from anywhere, anywhere on the pitch, and you'd still feel like, well, something could happen here. He was that kind of a player. I don't like to be hyperbolic. Did Teryon Reed invent aura like Einstein invented relativity? Wow. Maybe I don't know if I could say he invented it, but what I would say is as a boy that was born in 1994, he invented it for me because he was like that player for me. I'm sure someone in the decade older than me would be like, how dare you? Did you not see what this person did 10 years beforehand? But for my age group, I just, I remember running around the playground and we were trying to dress like him. I'd have my socks all the way up to my knees because he did. I couldn't like, my parents couldn't afford the shoes he wore, so we would just get the closest ones that looked kind of like the vibe. And you'd get to the like football pitches school and every single kid was doing the same thing. Do you know what I mean? So yeah, he was that guy. Can you explain the origins of Black Arsenal? Because it's been a strong value here for decades. I think you see Arsenal is a very, very unique and powerful club in a sense, because I feel like Arsenal represents an identity that isn't necessarily represented geographically in the same way for certain people. For example, my parents and I during, but I was born in London, this is my accent. And so the word English, it makes sense, but it doesn't quite work for me. Then the word British, it makes sense, but it doesn't quite work for me. But you see being a Londoner, now that makes sense. And then I've got a flag and a t-shirt to wear and it's red and white. And so then you get this kind of patriotism to this club, like it's a country, it's an identity, it's a sense of belonging, and then it's kind of like reemphasized when they sign Nigerians and they sign Brazilians and they sign people of like Jamaican heritage and people of Nigerian heritage, Nigerian names, but have accents like mine, Bukhaya Sakha, Barrette Ezra, Noni Maduake, they're Nigerian kids, that sound like me. And suddenly this sense of representation ends up making you feel so proud and black arsenal is kind of like an unrelatern for how so many black people from London and way beyond feel about that club. There's almost like a biblical moment of revelation. 2002, the match against Leeds, nine starting out with field players. Exactly that. More than a football game, a moment of what? For that moment to happen because you see the thing about black is black means so many different things. It can mean the Londoner with African player appearance. It can mean the person born in Jamaica and flown over. It can mean the Brazilian person. It can mean the person that doesn't know where their ancestry comes from. And to see it represented just on a football pitch and it's full glory and a Nigerian made it. Cano was in that team, so that made it even better. Do you know what I mean? So it's kind of like it's sometimes supporting Arsenal feels like support in the country. And when we win something, you can see it is a small country. You know, like in the Bible is Abraham Isaac, Jacob, you have Rocky Roque as well. Yeah, being right. I mean, there's like a linear. Yeah, yeah, it's an absolute. Exactly that. And I think that lineage of kind of Rocky in riot and then you have Tiori and Regenerations, Gilberto Silva, Vieira, Ashley Cole and then it kind of fast forwards till today. It's weird, but these Arsenal squads all look the same but kind of have different nuances based on the era they're playing in, which is a beautiful thing. It makes it amazing when you meet an Arsenal fan, way older, way younger than you and you still have loads in common. There's a Patrick Vieira chant. He comes from Senegal. He plays for Arsenal. As a West African. Yes. What does that feel like when a whole stadium is chanting in that? It's just, it's so beautiful, honestly. And also like as a songwriter, I can't write things as good as that, you know what I'm saying? And so we're singing this, we're a whole choir celebrating this area of the world, which a lot of the times growing up, it was hard to be proud of being African. It wasn't the cool thing until Vieira steps up and it's like, yeah, this is cool. Until Kanu steps up and it's like, yeah, this is great, you know what I mean? Till Kolo Torey steps up and it's like, yeah, this feels good and humans become very, very powerful when they learn to love who they are. When you learn to love who you are and your identity, suddenly you're strong. And Arsenal has a way of giving that to so many different types of people. I love it by the way. I'm like, what does it feel like emotionally like as a lyricist? Yeah, it's like that. I call it surprise, but I know what to do. Yeah, I can't write songs like that, you know what I mean? I wish I could. You can't, I'll try, I'll try. It's not profound to say our formatted memories are, you know, the most powerful. One of yours, six years old, Sylvan Willett scores a winner out all traffic secures a Premier League title for Arsenal 2002, ensure they win the double. Exactly, it was just... That celebration, I think it's Kanu, the jumps over, your formatted memory right there. Black excellence. Exactly that. And also it's such a great age to win the league because it's like I was young enough to think it was gonna happen, but old enough to understand when it happens, the size of it to happen in. Little did I know I'd have to wait so long, but you know what I'm saying, little, but I feel like being that age, you know, I say that I kind of was born as an Arsenal fan, but it's those moments when I'm in primary school and I've got my first kind of jersey and then we win the league. That's what kind of stamped it like, yeah, this is me forever type thing. The invincible season followed. You did not know how good you had it. I learned in a big way over two decades how good that was, but the invincible season was the first time my brother and I actually got to see Arsenal in real life and it was just kind of like, you're right, we had no idea, it was like, oh, we've won again, do you know what I mean? Trust me, I did a process of learning afterwards, but yeah, it was really special. And like I said, I think I just kind of keep taking it beyond football, beyond the kind of like, we scored, they scored, we won type thing. It's this sense of like belonging, it's this sense of a family, it's this sense of being a small part of something so much bigger than yourself and all of those things kind of are so special. And in context, you know, Arsenal were the first club to have that on field line up mirror that off field community. Yeah, exactly. You saw the invincible, you saw this line up, on the mirror, in context, there wasn't a lot of, as you call it, black excellence in the rest of English society. Yeah, exactly that. Yeah, it's kind of, I think one of the things that sports really and music can be so powerful at doing is giving a visual representation to so many people who feel marginalized and it's so powerful kind of being a child watching on TV, someone that looks older than you, achieving something incredible. It's why the Olympics is so special because everyone in the world gets it at the same time. And Arsenal has just been able to do this for so many people. That's why it's no surprise when I spend time in places like Lagos, it's Arsenal kits everywhere. Of course it is because we've been given so many reasons over the years to love the Arsenal. This past seven years, I've got to say, they've been humanly as epic as home is Odyssey, this club, those men that you love, you know, fighting not just their opponents, fighting the greatest opponent, I think, in sports, in humanity, English school. Yeah. You know, the people hate you. Yeah. And failing and being hated and failing and being hated. Yeah. How did you describe what is meant to support Arsenal in that period? That's so real. It's kind of like this camaraderie of, they all hate us because they want to be us. That's how it felt here. Did it really? It felt great. Did it really? It felt great because I think the hate and the discourse by and large went, what was terrible is when it's seeped into the fan base itself. But what, I think one of my favorite things that Mika Latte have managed to do was kind of get rid of that and reunite the fan base. And there was this siege mentality. I remember when there was one season where it felt like Arsenal players got red cards for anything. And I was one of those fans that's like, it's fine, we'll play with five people, we'll be fine. Do you know what I mean? And it's kind of like that kind of siege mentality was just perfect because I think we could all feel this pressure valve just kind of like when it explodes, it's going to explode in a different kind of way, explosion being when they win. It's just going to make all the tears, all the pain, like you don't know what it's like, like watching a game on a Wednesday night, it's freezing cold. They lose, then you miss the train home. And it's just like all that bubbled up pain and just like distraught feeling, knowing when they win, it will make up for all of it. You're like the movie 300 then. Yeah, of course, yeah. It's like Declan Rice being sent off for flicking the ball away. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You got five, a fancy, our chances. Yeah, exactly that. Yeah, that's how we felt. Do you know what I mean? Five versus the rest will be fine. Let's live the last season. And it is for me, tenacity is the greatest human value. Yeah. And you embodied that in every regard. It began with the agony of a third, second place finish, laughing stock, seeing these people love others failure more than their own success. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. But also strength and went again, added depth across the field, win away at Manchester United, five-nil demolition allees to begin the season. Do you let yourself trust the team early doors? How would you play it as a fan? Do you let yourself believe again? You're like, yeah, I'll put my hand in the threshing machine of football, hope. I was one of those people that was a believer right until it went wrong, be knocked for 24 hours and then I'll be back like, yeah, it's gonna be fine. Do you know what I mean? So... Yeah, I was just like, we'll be fine. I mean, there was a few, there was, when we lost the Bournemouth, I was like, man, we're done, aren't we? But no, I was just kind of like, there was almost something about, it almost felt like there was a written promise above this club that it was like it's gonna happen. It just felt like that for me. It just felt like this is the season it's going to happen. Like, my friend signs for the club and he's playing number 10. And like, in August last year, me and my brother got season tickets. Like, we'd been waiting 20 years for those things and then we got season tickets. I'd say it's like, we've got our own chair. One of the boys is on the pitch. It's like, this is, it's gonna happen. It has to happen this year. To have the decision ticket looked at it, it looked like a golden ticket for the Willy Wonka factory. You know what, you'd be surprised. It was just an email, but it might as well have been on a gold plaque. I remember I called out my brother. Where are you? He's like, I'm at home, I'm like, sit down. You know, I have to break this to you while you're, you can't be stood up, do you know what I mean? I was just like, bro, we've got season tickets. He's like, what do you mean? It's like, bro, it's happened. I'm looking at the email. And I've wiped the tears away and I've read it properly. It's, it's there. You are block 47. I am block 47 and it was just like, oh my gosh. So it's like first game, we sit down next to each other like, oh my days blood like, how is this happening? And this is why it just had to happen, bro. It's like having a front seat at the Ten Commandments being handed down. Yeah, we're watching this. Exactly. We were on Mount Sinai and Moses had the tablets, except it was Mikael and his 11 men, you know what I mean? So it was almost exactly the same. I mean, yeah, I just spied him up. Exactly, exactly. Oh, by the way, when you two are like your friends, when you said it, I felt like it was written. I'm like, oh my God, you've like got a heavy dose of every rich and you're saying, yeah, man. Because that's his thing, it's been written. Ezra Collective's playing a show in Hyde Park in London, opening up for Stevie Wonder. Ebb's comes to watch the show. A while Stevie's playing. I don't like talking to him about a football because it's like, it's just too much in it. I don't want to be a fanboy. But then like, Stevie's playing like, I don't know, isn't she lovely or whatever. And I just look at him and I'm like, bro, if you join Arsenal, I will never recover. Because the rumors were there, but you never know. And they never say anything. And then it just kind of said like, if it happens, just like, I will never recover. None of us will ever recover if you play for Arsenal. Do you know what I mean? But then he's laughing with Stevie Wonder's playing. The sun's setting, then like three weeks later, I'm like, Arsenal's about to sign Ebb's, I'm like, no way. But I was like, I can't, I can't call him. I don't want to talk to him. I just want it to be real. Do you know what I'm saying? Because you don't want to go downstairs and Christmas Eve and open the presents. Wait till Christmas Day. So I waited and then like, the news said it was happening and then I was just like, I can't believe this. This is what I mean. It was written. Because it was Stevie Wonder as well, which is just like, he's magical. Singing the song that everyone knows is written about when the dog is. Exactly. It's actually lovely. Exactly, exactly that. So yeah, it was meant to be. And it happened. You took my every year as a just like an incredible human and body man. There's a lot of Nigerian Londoners. Look at Bikai Ovesake and think that is like, can they reincarnate? That's like, does it feel like one of us is on the field when you're in a different place? Absolutely, absolutely. Even beyond their names and their accents, it's almost like how they conduct and carry themselves in both on the pitch and off the pitch. They just feel like people that they look like kids in my youth group. They look like kids I'm into school with. They look like my best friends, you know what I'm saying? And it's so easy to support when you feel like you would love and adore them beyond their ability to play for your football club. Do you know what I mean? Like, dare I say it, there's a cohort of Arsenal players that if they were to leave Arsenal, it wouldn't necessarily be a bitter feeling for me because I almost appreciate them. Beyond Arsenal, it's like, I appreciate the people. Do you know what I'm saying? January 8th, February 18th, you win just 10 of a 21 possible points is the epic battle Manchester City April 2-1, early in the hall then, back before the American charm offensive, four straight second place finish looms, the camera zoom in on Declan Rice and he famously mows, it's not done. Yeah. What did you feel in your heart? What did you feel in your head when you look at him mouth, it's not done? What did you really think? I think in the very moment, I think I was like, it is done. But then, you see, this is the difference between professional athletes and professional fans. Professional athletes run to the very, very end. Me, if I'm tired on treadmill, we're getting off. Do you know what I mean? That's my vibe. I'm a fan, but they're not fans, they're players and sometimes I feel like players need to carry the fan base and sometimes fan bases need to carry the players. And I feel like that was a moment where the players were carrying the fan base for a little bit and suddenly, it kind of flipped by the next game. We were like, yeah, his right is not done. Do you know what I mean? So yeah, precious moment and a moment of real, I think sporting beauty to catch that and then see how it wound up at the end. Drama peaks against West Ham. They're now like, oh my gosh, bruh. You took about lyrics that you love that you could never write after review. West Ham number 19, comments have fell on the goalkeeper. Final decision is, no goal. Direct free kick. Take this to that moment, give us a boost. I was at the stadium, I went to West Ham away. Do you know what the best way I've kind of thought to describe how that game felt? It felt like when you're crossing the road and nearly get hit by a car. And it's like, it should be a moment of celebration, but it's more just a moment of like, I'm just glad that's over. Do you know what I mean? It was like, it didn't feel good, but it was like great that it didn't hit me. Do you know what I'm saying? It's a bit of affirmation of life. Yeah, it was just kind of like, I remember I was actually physically on my knees because I just couldn't handle like, why does it have to be like this? Like, and we all knew it was gonna be like that. You know what I mean? I'm like, I'm like, well, melting you brain. Just, yeah, it's just, the arsenal way is never the peaceful way. It's always just kind of, you've got to make some drama of it, you know what I mean? And it was like, winning that game one meal, it was just like, I remembered calling TJ walking out of the stadium, my brother, and walking out of the stadium, I called him up, and he was just like, we were both shell shocked. Like, neither of us enjoyed the experience, but we were just like, we'll be able to celebrate this. I just need like three hours, do you know what I mean? The arsenal way is never the peaceful way. That needs to be on a T-shirt. Yeah, exactly. Ultimately, Man City with the One Zoo Flounder, the One One Draw, May 19th to get to Bournemouth. Crown Champions for the first time in 22 years, take us up. So I had gone to Arsenal Burnley the night before and like, we won, and I was like, this is done with winning the league, went out with the boys, had a great massive night, got home really, really late. And so it was kind of feeling sorry for myself the next day. So I said, I'm not, even if we win the league today, I'm not going out, I'm just going to stay at home and then Bournemouth scored, and it's kind of that will. Let's just see what happens. And then I just remember that it's getting closer and closer to the end of the game, and you start to think, oh my goodness, me, are we actually going to win the league? Like, are we actually going to win the league? And then at like, 85 minutes, I just like lost control, ran to the train station. And so the game hasn't finished at this point. So I'm watching the last moments of the game at the train station, then the final whistle blows, we win the league, the train comes, I get on the train and immediately, just like seven strangers to scream, run and start hugging me and jumping up and down. And I'm like, yeah, I've made the right decision. Actually, in the middle of that hugging and jumping, one of us was like, aren't you as recollective? I was like, yeah, yeah, I'm actually. And then at the next stop, a whole bunch of like Arsenal fans get on, I'm seeing people I went to school with, people I go to church with, and every single train station, I'm like, cruise hill, info chase, and then it's like going, going, going, going. And it's getting closer, closer to things we park. When we get to friends, we park, oh my goodness me. It was like, you know how I said earlier, like, Arsenal's like a small country. The whole country came out for the day. And it was like, I'm now with my best friend, my brothers there. Like all my people that I played football with, people I've gone to school with, we're all there just screaming and singing. There was no plan. Like, we didn't know why we were all there, but we just needed to be at the Emirates stadium. And then that was that. I saw the sunrise that night, you know what I mean? It was just, it was perfect. And it was perfect. Again, it feels biblical. It would only be more biblical if the Seven Strangers turned that to be angels. Exactly. You wrestled them open. But like, your whole life was there. Yeah. And everyone at that stadium, I'm sure felt the same like their whole life was there. All their memories, all their joy, all their pain, all their heroes, all the agony. The images were incredible. Everyone there, thousands and thousands, even the players came back at five o'clock so that they could commune with the fans. What were you all experiencing? What were you all looking for to be together in that room? You know what? It's, it sounds so dramatic, what I'm about to say, but I'm going to say it anyway. But as a Christian and a believer, for me, it was like a vision of what heaven might feel like. Because it was like, I think what was getting to me was just the different types of people, old people, young people, black people, white people, people that speak English, people that can't speak English, people with as North London accent as possible, people who it's just like, I can't even tell where you're from. Uniting thing being we just all love the Arsenal. And it was just so happy, but a chaotic happy. It was like police officers were kind of there, but there was just too much joy to even police. They were involved in it, consuming. Whether you had supported Arsenal or not, you looked at it and you were like, well, that's pretty special, isn't it? I'm feeling like it was meant to happen. I'm always on tour, like I'm never at home, but I was just like home for the whole season last year and got moments like that that will just kind of be with me forever. The images were unbelievable, North London's streets packed with hundreds of thousands of fans. Yeah. You're sharing, adding layers of memory, but beyond that, there were celebrations immediately in Addis Averbury, Ethiopia, spiritual home of gooners in Africa, mass celebrations in No Ruby, Legos, Campola, thousands of red shirts. It was like catharsis on a global scale that you do not often see. Look, the world is full of challenge. It is a dark time. Something in there, there's emotional, so it's hard to put into words, but it isn't antidote to a lot of the fracture that the world is experiencing. Absolutely. And I think ultimately humans crave just equality and feeling seen. Those two things, when paired together make people feel so special, if you can make me feel like I mean something and I'm equal to the person different to me who also means something, that feeling combined is so powerful and that's what sports is able to do in a really unique way to the point where it's like the person who lives in Legos, who might have very little in common with me who lives in London. All cause of a goal that Eberreche Ezra has scored, we're on the same page and that feeling is really, really quite special. It's why things like winning the World Cup mean so much to people. It's why things like the Olympics mean so much to people, even just winning a game, just having so many people around you, being like we're all on the same page, we feel represented, we feel seen and we feel equal. That's what it's like being a fan. And you know what was even more powerful about that celebration? The barrier of ticket entry to the Emirates didn't exist. And so you really got to see the fan base because on a normal game day it's just the 60,000 chosen ones that get to go in. But you see moments like that, I kind of loved that we won the league not playing because it was like it really allowed for every Arsenal fan to be completely equal. There was no ticket to have. It was just like find something red and go out. That was that. Can you just give me a burst on what you felt that you'd seen over the course of the season with the season ticket culminating in that moment? Failure, failure, failure, victory. It's like death and rebirth. I hear it was journey. Can you put into words what the arc of that season you felt you'd experienced together? To be honest, to put that whole arc concisely, I think if you've got a spectrum of joy on one side and pain on the other side, hope is what makes you feel like you can get from pain to joy. But the feeling of the hope working is almost like what that result did for you. It's like all this pain, all this trial, all this, like this is so difficult, this is hard. It wasn't always been fun being an Arsenal fan, but then you kind of always hope, you know, they say it's the hope that kills you, but sometimes it's the hope that gives you the life. And I feel like it was like hoping, hoping, hoping, hoping, hoping, hoping, born with man city bang, joy. That's kind of to put it concisely how it felt. God, it's amazing. You see this with a gospel church in Chicago on the west side. They're always singing something called Jesus is coming in a while. And otherwise they sang it year after year after year. It's amazing to keep singing. It was just like, last season was Jesus come. It was, it was, we were ready to go to heaven. Celebration. Yes. You DJed it. You DJ a lot. How did this feel different? Oh my goodness, mate. Can you imagine that? Like a lifelong Arsenal fan from London, and you get like arts to DJ the parade for the first like league win in 22 years. And it's my responsibility to play the first tune. And just like, oh my goodness, me like that feeling was so mad famed because it was like, they'd brief me on what was going to happen. But you know how briefings are. You never listen. And then you're just there. And I'm stood up on this bus. And they're like, super micarteo is going to do a speech. And at the end, when he finishes a speech, play the song, and there's going to be fireworks. And I was like, prepared. That's what's going to happen. But when I heard him speaking, I was like, oh my gosh, like, it's happening. And then I was like, I need to play the song with like the best intro of all time. So I played move or not, because it's made for obviously. And so it's like, he finished his speech. And then I like pressed it. And I was like, and then the fireworks went up. And I just remember being best in my life, easy. Just like, it's completed. Best day of my life at age 31, it's not game be it. And then it was just like two hours of like, just seeing this whole Arsenal family having the best view of it. And just seeing mass joy. People dancing, people crying. You're seeing grandmas with grandchildren. I'm seeing like relatives of my own. Like, you know what I mean? Like, how are you screaming? Like, I saw my mum and dad, you know what I'm saying? Like, and you're just playing songs to try and soundtrack. It's not just my best day of my life. It's so many people's. And it's like, you're looking at these players that, when you see them from that angle and that view that I had, they're just young, young men. Like, young people have achieved something that they've dreamt of their whole life. And to kind of just have the streets of North London paved with that amount of joy, you can never say that away from me, you know what I mean? It was one of them. If, you know, if I have to quit music today, I can kind of roll out with my head held high. I did some good gigs, do you know what I'm saying? We dance at the parade and dance hard. Exactly, man. I partied hard. I mean, I only recently recovered from it. Like, we went hard, man. Like, you know what I mean, it was, but it was just, it was the perfect, it was just so perfect. Arsenal and their winners, Michaela Teta is now a winner. He's been laughed and mocked. No more. How'd you throw this forward? How does Arsenal's identity change now? Arsenal winners. I think that we've always been champions. We just didn't have a trophy to show for it. Now, I think we're going to walk into an era of Arsenal knowing we're the best. And that's exciting. I feel like there's going to be a kind of real Madrid-esque we can beat whoever we want, whenever we want, Galactico energy to this Arsenal team. So I'm looking forward to being at the Emirates 2-0 down at 75 minutes and everyone is going to be fine, Liverpool 3-2. That's what I think is, we're going to walk into that season of dominance. And I think it's going to be, I think it's parade season now, you know what I mean? Parade season. They'll call me back for the next one, but I'll be there in the streets dancing. Don't worry about that. I don't, I think we're back. We're back again. You've shown up. You've supported. You've taken Elves for years. No, man. For the Arsenal. How's your identity change now that you're all wintering in? That's such a great question. The happily ever-off, the narrative outlook that I've always had on life. I just got an actuality of it in a moment. And it kind of gives me faith for the future. Beyond, it sounds so deep, but beyond football, I just look at life and think even things that are going wrong in my life right now, it will be fine eventually. And I think that moment and that parade and that celebration and all that came of it was just like a stamping moment that reminded me that things do work out for everyone's good in the end. So yeah. Amen. Amen. Femi, Arsenal's top five, Black players all time. Right. I thought about this. The first three are easy. Tyrionry, Ian Wright and Patrick Vierre. I think you have to put Rocky Roe Castle in there. And then I just, I have to put Eberrecher as in there. And I'll tell you why. You can't score a hat trick against Tottenham and not end up in trench. They should have built a statue on that day for him. So I'm going to in trench him in my top five Arsenal players. I want to give an honorary mention to Kanye, yeah. But five plus-ish, but those five. Ian Wright arguably missed the Arsenal. Not just the greatest striker ever, but the greatest person ever. Do you know what I mean? He still makes Arsenal fans feel proud and he hasn't played for us in years. Do you know what I'm saying? His leap-reaking career. Exactly. He's playing the country above all this. He loved for the club. Did time. Do you know what I'm saying? Like, even he's so Arsenal and like, gold to the hardest like, signing swag ever. He wore a leather bomber jacket with like a snapback. It's like, yes. And like, he would score and do gun fingers and dance. It's like, yes, bedroom. Rocky Rokos will similarly. It's so London. It's so Arsenal. It's the emblem of a whole series of what is kind of modern day Arsenal. I think they birthed it in a type of way under that kind of George Graham into Arsenal when he got. I mean, Ian Wright said, can you imagine how disrespectfully London is that to be like? I don't even know the guy who's going to be managing us turns out to be the greatest manager ever. But you know what I'm saying? And then you move on to Tiarion Reep. If that Ian Wright rowcastle legacy birthed modern day Arsenal, Tiarion Reep kind of became the picture of it. It was the like, there's nothing more Arsenal than having a French accent. And that was Tiarion Reep. He kind of came and he would just score and score another person who scored against Tottenham all the time, you know what I'm saying? Different kinds of goals, you know what I mean? Overhead flick against Manchester United just for the culture. That's what we love, you know what I'm saying? And then you keep it moving to Patrick Vieira. If we had like, I mean, if there's wind a dog that's the Arsenal animal, if you like, and Gunnosaurus being another Arsenal animal, for me, Patrick Vieira would represent like the lion that defends the cannon, you know what I'm saying? For me, he's my favorite, maybe best ever captain. Like, he just was the emblem of we are not losing today. He would fight to the very end. I even just loved that he got red cards all the time because it was kind of like you want a fighter in the team, you know what I'm saying? And then, Eberet Che, as well. Number five's hard for you. It was hard, but the reason I've picked him is because I think he just, for me, he taps straight into everything I love about Arsenal. Like, the years like he played for this academy got dropped, played for that academy got dropped, played for this, I think he's played for almost every London team. And it's like, it worked, he got dropped, it worked, he got dropped, he's playing, he's playing, he's playing, he comes and gets his dream signing, he walks out at the Emirates, 60,000 people are clapping for him. And then he scores against his old team, Crystal Palace. Then he scores a hat trick against Tottenham. Then he scores two goals against Tottenham. And you know what, so mad that I'm going to end it with. And then he misses a penalty in the Champions League final, which in the weirdest way is so Arsenal. It's like, because I feel like his journey and his story in red and white isn't completed. And part of me felt like when he missed that penalty, one day he's going to score in a Champions League final and it will be like the full circle. He wasn't losing, he was just setting up the sequel. He was setting up the sequel like every great film, do you know what I mean? So, you see, I saw that straight away. When he missed, I was in Budapest. I was like, that's where I know what he's doing. You asked for a plus wall. Cannae, I have to put Cannae in there just because my Nigerian super eagle. He meant so much to me and my brother and my friends and family because it's like, he was one of us that he played in red and white, scored a hat trick against Chelsea. That's always great in it. And he was just such, I think there's something about his silhouette being so tall when you could always just, that's Cannae. That's Cannae. Anytime he got on the pitch, it's like, yeah, that's Cannae again. Juno, I mean, and he was part of an Arsenal team that had great kits as well. So he just always looked great. He was always like, why do the easy thing when you can do the hard thing? I'm making it look easy. Exactly that. It was just like so skillful. He was such an awesome winger player. Juno, I mean, just like skillful, pretty injury prone and wonderful. Juno, I mean. What's your favourite Arsenal kit of all time? Oh man, it's hard to look past the bruise banana at the moment and it looks great, but it changes season to season, but the old original bruise bananas in my wardrobe is a bit of a very, very precious piece. I do love that kit. I think that you're an amazing human being.