ARSENAL players Taylor Hinds and Noni Madueke recently sat down for a conversation with Dr Clive Nwonka, author of Black Arsenal the landmark book that offers a comprehensive exploration of Arsenal’s connection with Black British identity and culture.
The Arsenal duo spoke toVoice Online during Black History Month about the book, the club’s culture and identity and some of their playing aspirations.
RH: How impressed have you been in terms of the club and its culture and environment generally?
TH: I’ve been really impressed. I think that was one of the things that I noticed when I was looking here. I actually grew up here as such because I came through the academy.
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It’s nice, and it’s a one-club culture – just small things, like having conversations with the men’s team. We are all part of the same team, and we want the best for each other too. I think the culture and the environment is good, and I think it’s still improving.
ON THE BALL: Taylor Hinds in action Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
NM: The culture is amazing. All the boys, all the staff, everything is pushing in the same direction. I feel like it’s a club with family values, and, yes, I’ve been really impressed since I got here.
RH: Give me your thoughts on the Black Arsenal book
TH: It promotes what Arsenal is about. I’ve seen players in it that I idolised, that were diverse, and I think now I’m in that category as well, it’s amazing. Arsenal is a diverse team and diverse environment and culture, and everyone is welcome and everyone is together. That’s what I love so much about being here.
NM: It’s incredible to see the history that Black players have had in this club, how diverse the club is, but also how successful it’s been in its diversity as well. It’s definitely inspirational for the next generation of players like myself, and we hope to do similar things.
RH: How proud are you of your heritage?
TH: I’m so proud. I think you’ve always got to be proud of who you are and where you’re from. I’m just grateful to be able to express myself and to be able to have that opportunity of having different nationalities. It’s a nice feeling to know that I belong in different places.
Arsenal is a diverse team and diverse environment and culture, and everyone is welcome and everyone is together
NM: For sure, definitely proud. I feel like to be Nigerian, and to be playing for Arsenal is special. You see it more in recent times, with Kanu an example in the book. There’s now Bukayo (Saka) and Eberechi (Eze), so it’s a great feeling and we just want to do great things together.
NIGERIAN HERITAGE: Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze celebrate a goal
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
RH: What qualities do you think you bring to the Arsenal squad?
TH:Having experience and really understanding that. I think it’s made me strong and made me resilient and I’ve had to be really strong-minded. I’ve worked really hard for it as well.
NM: I’d probably say dynamism, creating chances, the ability to beat people, and yeah, obviously scoring goals and being decisive.
RH: Who inspires you?
TH: Former Gunner Rachel Yankey, Jessica-Ennis Hill and my whole family.
GREAT READ: Taylor Hinds thumbs through the Black Arsenal book
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
NM: Cristiano Ronaldo was the big one for me, not only because he was supremely talented, but I feel like he got every single last drop out of himself just through hard work and determination. He didn’t leave any stone unturned and I’m trying to be like that as well.
I feel like we will achieve what we want this season. We’ll come back to this at the end and see if I was right!
RH: How far can you see the Women’s Super League developing?
TH: I think it’s only going to get better. I think there is still a lot to do, and hopefully we can help support the future. I think just things like being able to play in bigger stadiums, it’s not even the men’s stadium now, because it’s our home as well. Every game’s on TV now and I think that’s the right direction to be going in.
We give our lives to football. So, I think hopefully we can help the next generation to keep pushing.
RH: What are the ambitions for the squad this season?
NM: I honestly think the sky’s the limit! I feel like the team is so well rounded. The team is so strong. Not just the starting XI players, but 25 players are at a really, really high level. I feel like we will achieve what we want this season. That’s how confident I am. We’ll come back to this at the end and see if I was right!
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