WITH the recent passing of Ken Friar, Arteta started the post-match press conference with a few words about the businessman.
Arteta emphasised: “The way we feel about him cannot be anything but extraordinary.”
Friar, the Legendary Life President of Arsenal Football Club, died at the age of 92 on October 13,2026.
Friar dedicated over 70 years of service to the club.
First joining the club in 1945 at the age of 11 as a match day messenger boy.
Friar became Arsenal’s club Secretary in 1965 before being appointed Managing Director in 1983. Before serving as Executive Director until 2020, after which he transitioned into Life President.
Arteta expressed the deepest possible respect, love and high regard for Friar.
The club’s feelings for Friar were not just standard and polite; they were immense, unique and profoundly special.
Friar’s 70-plus years of dedication to Arsenal left an impact so great that normal words of praise simply weren’t strong enough.
Arteta also said meeting Friar was ” a privilege” and an “honour”.
Arteta and Friar shared a deep respectful mentor-and-colleague relationship in shared devotion to Arsenal Football Club’s core identity and values.
