Arsenal have pledged their support to help victims of the war in Ukraine, setting up a Ukrainian supporters’ club, and donating to Save the Children’s Disaster’s Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Following appeals from fans, the football club announced the supporters’ club, helping fans from around the world to join in solidarity. They have also called for fans to donate what they can to Save the Children, Arsenal’s global charity partner, after the conflict forced many Ukrainians to flee their homes and leave Ukraine.
Save the Children’s emergency response aims to reach 3.5 million Ukrainian children and their families. It is currently supporting families arriving in Poland, Lithuania and Romania by providing monetary aid, food and water, and by ensuring that refugee children can continue learning in a safe space.
The charity also hopes that donations will support families by helping to give them access to essential supplies, including winter clothing and blankets, as well as food and medicine. It also plans to offer mental health support to refugees.
? A look inside today's dressing room…
? With a message of support for Oleg ?
? #ARSLEI pic.twitter.com/rNumtpCAhW
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 13, 2022
The move comes after Arsenal’s men’s and women’s captains showed solidarity by wearing Ukrainian-flag armbands during fixtures. The club lit up the Emirates Stadium in blue and yellow and held a ‘moment of solidarity’ on Sunday.
Arsenal also showed their support for former player, Oleg Luzhny, who put on hold his plans to return to England as a coach, to stay in Ukraine. He told Sky Sports that he “will stand firmly and fight for my people, for my country and for democracy”.
The former player, who retired from professional football in 2005, was named in the squad for last Sunday’s fixture against Leicester, with his name appearing alongside the Ukrainian flag in the matchday programme. Luzhny’s No.22 shirt was also hung in the Arsenal dressing room.
Luzhny made 110 appearances for Arsenal between 1999 and 2003, winning both the Premier League and FA Cup with the club in 2001/02.
You can sign up to Arsenal Ukraine Supporters’ Club here.
You can donate to Save the Children’s Ukraine appeal here.
I am a freelance writer and journalism student at City, UoL, writing culture and sport.