Emirates and Arsenal Football Club have unveiled a 2.4-meter illuminated sculpture, titled "The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest," at Emirates Stadium in London on August 9, 2026. The installation reimagines Arsenal's emblem using upcycled components repurposed from retired Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft operated by the Dubai-based carrier.
The sculpture incorporates several specialized aviation parts into its structure. The center of the cannon wheel features a main landing gear wheel hub from an Airbus A380, while a section of titanium bleed air duct was reshaped to form the cannon barrel. Lightweight composite floor panels were layered to shape the cannon body, while Boeing 777 aluminum fuselage skin, cargo tracks, and floor components form the surrounding shield. Additionally, the letters spelling out "Arsenal" were individually crafted from aircraft windows and fitted with warm white interior lighting.
The project was designed and built over a period of 34 days by a 15-person team of engineers, designers, mechanics, technicians, and painters from Emirates Engineering's Aircraft Material Upcycling division in Dubai. After assembly and painting in official club colors, the crest was transported from Dubai to London on an Emirates SkyCargo freighter flight. The piece was formally unveiled by Emirates Airline President Sir Tim Clark and Arsenal Chief Executive Richard Garlick ahead of an Emirates Cup match against Borussia Dortmund.
The artwork follows an announcement on August 6, 2026, extending the commercial partnership between Emirates and Arsenal through 2033. Under the extended agreement, Emirates continues as Arsenal's front-of-shirt sponsor, training kit sponsor, and stadium naming rights partner, marking an ongoing collaboration that originally began in 2006. The completed sculpture will remain permanently on display in the hospitality area at Emirates Stadium.
