Emirates has celebrated its long-standing partnership with Arsenal FC by creating a unique piece of aviation and football art: an eight-foot sculpture of the club’s iconic badge made entirely from recycled aircraft components. Named “The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest,” the installation represents a creative approach to sustainability, combining retired Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 materials with the heritage of one of football’s most recognizable clubs.
The sculpture was created to mark more than 20 years of cooperation between Emirates and Arsenal, a partnership that has become one of the most visible relationships between a global airline and a major sporting institution. The project highlights how aircraft materials that once played a role in international aviation can be transformed into a permanent symbol of innovation, craftsmanship, and shared ambition.
The impressive structure was developed by a specialist team from Emirates Engineering’s Aircraft Material Upcycling division. Fifteen engineers spent 34 days selecting, preparing, shaping, and assembling retired aircraft components into the detailed Arsenal crest. Rather than simply displaying old aircraft parts, the team gave each piece a new purpose through precision engineering and creative design.
Aviation Engineering Meets Football Heritage
At first glance, the sculpture appears to be a traditional oversized version of Arsenal’s famous crest. However, a closer look reveals the aviation origins hidden throughout the design. Every major section incorporates carefully selected aircraft components, demonstrating how engineering materials can be reused beyond their original purpose.
The centerpiece of the design is Arsenal’s famous cannon symbol. Emirates used a main landing gear wheel hub from an aircraft to create the center of the cannon wheel, giving the sculpture a direct connection to the mechanical strength and reliability associated with aviation. The cannon barrel was produced from a section of titanium bleed air duct, which was reshaped and modified to match the club’s traditional emblem.
The shield itself features Boeing 777 aluminum fuselage skin, while aircraft cargo tracks were adapted to create the outer frame and internal support structure. Even the lettering was produced using reshaped aircraft windows, turning everyday aviation components into carefully crafted decorative elements.
Emirates CEO Tim Clark described the project as a reflection of the values shared by aviation and elite sport. The sculpture demonstrates the same principles that define both industries: accuracy, discipline, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Sustainable Aircraft Recycling Through Creative Design
The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest represents more than a celebration of a football partnership. It also reflects the aviation industry’s growing interest in aircraft material upcycling and more sustainable practices. Modern aircraft contain large amounts of durable materials, including aluminum, titanium, and composite components, which can often be reused after their operational life ends.
Instead of allowing retired parts to become waste, Emirates transformed these materials into an artistic installation with cultural significance. The process involved cleaning, cutting, curving, machining, riveting, and assembling different components before the final painting and lighting stages.
This approach shows how airlines can explore innovative ways to extend the lifecycle of aircraft materials. While recycling aircraft components has long been part of aviation maintenance and disposal processes, projects like this demonstrate how engineering materials can also become educational and artistic assets.
The Sculpture Arrives at Emirates Stadium
After completion in Dubai, the eight-foot crest was transported to London aboard one of Emirates SkyCargo’s dedicated freighter aircraft. The airline carefully moved the large installation from its engineering facilities to Emirates Stadium, where it was unveiled during the Emirates Cup preseason event.
The unveiling added another memorable moment to the relationship between Emirates and Arsenal. Although Arsenal’s match against Borussia Dortmund ended in a 3-2 defeat, the event provided an opportunity to celebrate two decades of collaboration between the airline and the football club.
The sculpture will remain permanently displayed at Emirates Stadium inside the airline’s hospitality area. Although it will not be located in a general public section of the stadium, visitors with access to the hospitality spaces will be able to view the unique combination of football identity and aviation engineering.
Two Decades of Emirates and Arsenal Partnership
The connection between Emirates and Arsenal began when the club moved from Highbury to the newly built Emirates Stadium in 2006. Since then, Emirates has remained Arsenal’s shirt sponsor and stadium naming partner, creating one of the longest-running sponsorship relationships in modern football.
The partnership has continued to grow, with the agreement extended through at least 2033. Over the years, Emirates has used aircraft special liveries, stadium events, and global campaigns to celebrate its relationship with the club and its supporters.
The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest adds another chapter to this story by combining the airline’s aviation heritage with Arsenal’s football traditions. It transforms retired aircraft parts into a symbol of connection, proving that materials from the world of flight can continue their journey in an entirely new form.
For Emirates, the sculpture is not just an artwork. It is a statement about sustainability, engineering excellence, and creativity, showing how aviation history can be preserved while creating something meaningful for future generations.
