Arsenal are reportedly in line for shows on Netflix or Apple TV, which could feature players and 'celebrity crossovers'. Gunners fans got a taste of a fly-on-the-wall documentary of how Mikel Arteta's side fared in the 2021-22 season, in which they were the youngest team in the Premier League. A few years on, more opportunities to pop up on the small screen could happen following a board reshuffle.
Big board shake-up at Arsenal
According to the, an Emirates Stadium expansion, Arsenal stars featuring in high-profile TV productions, and greater transfer spending power are on the club's agenda after a 'mighty' board shake-up 'out of the blue'. Last week, the north London team sent an internal email announcing that executive vice-chair Tim Lewis was leaving after 18 years at the club, while four new non-executive directors have come in. One of those will be looking to utilise the power of TV and marketing to elevate Arsenal's brand, which includes the potential for Netflix or Apple TV shows, featuring 'players and celebrity crossovers'.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALArsenal fans' appetite whet by Amazon show
was released on Amazon Prime Video in August 2022 and was a big hit with fans as Arteta's side began their slow ascent towards being Premier League title challengers again. Actor and Arsenal fan Daniel Kaluuya narrated the series, which featured eight episodes on the 2021-22 campaign. While supporters lapped up the extra access, not everyone at the club felt the same way, though. Indeed, captain Martin Odegaard seemingly did not enjoy having a camera put in front of him so often.
He said in 2021: "I must admit that it's not my favourite thing to have cameras everywhere. You automatically think a bit more about what you are saying when there are cameras there, but the crew is discreet."
Arteta, who was once one of Pep Guardiola's assistants at Manchester City, admitted he didn't know Arsenal would be putting on such a show.
"I experienced it a few years ago when I was at Man City and we are going to help as much as possible, for everybody to see what this club means and how things are done at the football club," he said.
Arsenal get Hollywood interest
One of those four directors who have come on board at Arsenal is Hollywood producer and director Ben Winston, who has 'stolen' the headlines. The 43-year-old was an executive producer at , the Grammy Awards, and the Friends Reunion. To many, this seems a strange choice to take on someone who does not appear to have a footballing background as Arsenal aim to end their 21-year wait for the Premier League title.
The son of professor and TV presenter Robert Winston has worked with celebrities such as Elton John, Adele, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, and the Kardashians; plus, David Beckham and Tom Cruise are said to be among his friends.
Winston has reportedly been an Arsenal season ticket holder for 33 years, and 20 years ago, he started his British production company, Fulwell 73, in nearby Islington. The Gunners are looking to become 'more visible globally', particularly in the United States, and he could help with that.
AFPCrunch fixtures lie ahead for Arsenal
While Winston is said to have already had preliminary talks with co-chairman Josh Kroenke and Arteta, he will also be hoping that Arsenal can start delivering on the pitch after a start to the season where the critics are beginning to circle.
Arteta has been accused of putting the "handbrake" on when facing Liverpool and Man City this season; games they lost 1-0 and drew 1-1, respectively. First up for the Gunners is a trip to Newcastle United, a team that have beaten the north London outfit on their last four meetings at St James' Park.
After Sunday's trip to the Magpies, they return to Champions League action on Wednesday at home to Olympiacos, before entertaining lowly London neighbours West Ham on October 4 in their final game before the international break. The league games in particular may be must-win ones already, as Liverpool hold a five-point gap after just five matches.
