Arsenal in the Community participant Bethel Mekuria enjoyed a night to remember last Tuesday as she walked out as Declan Rice’s mascot for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid.
After Declan scored two spectacular free kicks in Arsenal’s 3-0 win, he invited Bethel to spend the afternoon at Sobha Realty Training Centre as his guest.
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Bethel is a member of Arsenal in the Community’s Double Club. Inspired by our league and cup double in 1998, Double Club is one of our longest-running community programmes that respond to the needs of our local area. The innovative education programme combines two halves of football and literacy (45 minutes each) to support primary school children in Hackney, Islington and Camden.
A huge supporter of our men’s and women’s teams, Bethel was one of 20 Arsenal in the Community mascots on Tuesday. She was chosen to be Declan’s mascot for the fixture because of her outstanding attitude and support for younger children at Double Club and at school.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Arsenal in the Community, which today connects with 5,000 people locally every week through sport, health, social, educational and employment initiatives.
Speaking about meeting Bethel, Declan said, “I’m so pleased Bethel got to experience walking out at the Emirates on such a big night. I’ve heard she’s been such a great role model in the community and helping other children at Double Club. She deserved that special moment.
“Our team and community fuel each other and we win together. Our supporters generated an incredible atmosphere on Tuesday, and I know that Bethel and Gooners around the world will be with us in Madrid on Wednesday.”
Henry Milton, Primary Education Curriculum Lead at Arsenal in the Community, added, “Bethel has been a fantastic role model for her friends and peers at Double Club since the moment she joined. She’s incredibly supportive of the younger children and has a brilliant attitude.
“Declan was amazing with Bethel. We’re so pleased they got to share that once-in-a-lifetime moment together. We’re so proud of them both.
"We’ve been nurturing this special connection through Arsenal in the Community for 40 years and we’re proud of the sense of belonging we continue to drive through our work in Islington and our neighbouring boroughs.”
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