Image: Joe Ravi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Emirates and Arsenal Extend Partnership With Upcycled Aircraft Crest Sculpture
Emirates and Arsenal renew their shirt and stadium sponsorship through 2033, celebrating with a 2.4-meter Arsenal crest artwork made from Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 parts.
The gist
Emirates and Arsenal mark their extended sponsorship with a unique Arsenal crest sculpture crafted from retired aircraft parts.
Emirates and Arsenal have solidified one of football's longest-running sponsorship relationships by extending their partnership through 2033. This renewal continues Emirates' role as Arsenal's front-of-shirt, training kit, and stadium naming rights partner, maintaining the Premier League's longest-standing front-of-shirt deal. The announcement follows Arsenal's recent Premier League title, underlining the club's outstanding progress during the decades-long relationship.
The partnership, originating in 2006, goes beyond conventional sponsorship. Arsenal Chief Executive Richard Garlick emphasized the significance of the timing of the renewal, highlighting Emirates' presence throughout the club's major milestones over the past 20 years. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, described the collaboration as a bond focused on connecting fans to their club, transcending a typical corporate agreement.
To celebrate the renewal, Emirates and Arsenal are running several anniversary initiatives, including a short film featuring former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, commemorating their shared history. One of the most striking gestures is a newly unveiled illuminated sculpture titled The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest, symbolizing the fusion of aviation engineering and football heritage.
Revealed on August 9, 2026, at Emirates Stadium, the 2.4-meter sculpture is constructed entirely from upcycled components sourced from Emirates' Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. The design centers on the iconic Arsenal cannon and shield emblem, reimagined using retired aircraft materials. For instance, a main landing gear wheel hub from an A380 forms the cannon’s central wheel, while a titanium bleed air duct has been reshaped to form its barrel.
The sculpture's three-dimensional cannon derives its form from layered composite floor panels, and the surrounding shield is crafted from Boeing 777 aluminum fuselage skin sheets, reinforced by aircraft cargo tracks. Additional features include repurposed cargo floor panels and roller components, with the Arsenal lettering composed of individually shaped aircraft windows illuminated with warm white lighting. Beneath the sculpture, lighting highlights its black tile base, enhancing the display's visual impact.
The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest was designed and manufactured over 34 days by a multidisciplinary 15-person team of engineers, designers, mechanics, technicians, and painters from Emirates Engineering’s Aircraft Material Upcycling division in Dubai. They meticulously selected robust aircraft parts, then cleaned, cut, curved, machined, riveted, and assembled them before painting the final piece in Arsenal’s official colors and adding integrated lighting.
After completion, the sculpture was transported from Dubai to London aboard an Emirates SkyCargo freighter and installed at Emirates Stadium. Emirates noted that the artwork connects Arsenal’s industrial roots and the long-standing cannon symbol that has been part of every Arsenal crest since 1905, reflecting Emirates' own aviation and engineering heritage.
The sculpture was unveiled by Sir Tim Clark and Arsenal Chief Executive Richard Garlick ahead of the Emirates Cup match against Borussia Dortmund. Clark remarked that the piece exemplifies the precision and craftsmanship shared by aviation and elite sports, simultaneously giving new purpose to retired aircraft components. The sculpture is now permanently displayed within Emirates’ hospitality area at Emirates Stadium, symbolizing the extended partnership.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the duration of the renewed Emirates and Arsenal partnership?
- The renewed agreement extends Emirates’ sponsorship of Arsenal through 2033, continuing roles including front-of-shirt and stadium naming rights partner.
- What materials were used to create the Aircrafted Arsenal Crest sculpture?
- The sculpture uses upcycled Emirates Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft parts, including an A380 landing gear wheel hub, titanium bleed air duct, composite floor panels, and Boeing 777 aluminum fuselage skin.
- Who designed and built the Arsenal crest sculpture and where was it made?
- A 15-person team from Emirates Engineering’s Aircraft Material Upcycling division in Dubai designed and built the sculpture over 34 days, assembling it from selected retired aircraft materials.
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