Arsenal pay tribute to superfan Maria Petri after her death and player wear black armbands against Chelsea
ARSENAL paid tribute to late superfan Maria Petri by wearing black armbands against Chelsea.
The Gunners romped to a 4-0 victory over rivals Chelsea yesterday in their latest pre-season game in the USA.
And to honour the memory of the 82-year-old, who had passed away on Friday, each player had a black armband on to mark her death.
An Arsenal statement on Friday read: “It was with great sadness that the club has heard of the passing of legendary supporter Maria Petri.
“It’s very difficult to put into words what Maria meant to everyone involved at Arsenal Football Club: players, staff and fellow supporters.
“Rarely can it be said that ‘games just won’t be the same’ without a supporter, but Maria’s presence, her legendary ‘Come on You Gunners!’ and many, many supportive songs created over the decades, will truly leave a void on matchdays at Emirates Stadium, Meadow Park and at away matches wherever we are playing.
“There are so many Maria memories down the years: celebrating cup finals with the Women’s team, being visited by Ray Parlour with the FA Cup during the pandemic, singing her Beth Mead song with ‘Meado’ herself… but whoever she was with, whichever Arsenal team she was supporting, every picture of Maria was always lit up by her wonderful smile – and the smiles of everyone around her, energised by her infectious positivity and the twinkle in her eye.
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“Everyone at Arsenal Football Club can’t quite believe that you won’t be able to give your very special support to our club anymore.
“You’ve been one in a million and we’ll never forget you Maria. Rest In Peace.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “We are all really sorry to hear the news. She was an integral part of our support and our community.
“The way she transmitted Arsenal values and the feeling of this football club was something I have never seen before.
“She was everywhere, every single week and she will be missed. Big time.”
A host of other tributes to Petri, who started following Arsenal in 1950 aged 12 and was said to have “never missed a game”, quickly poured in online.
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And Sun columnist and TalkTV host Piers Morgan led them by tweeting: “RIP Arsenal’s greatest fan, Maria Petri.
“Never missed a game, and we always heard her chants. Magnificent lady & all-time club legend. #ComeOnYouGunners.”
Another wrote: “Horrible news to hear the sad passing of Maria Petri, she had such a beautiful bond with fans and players.
“Every-time I’ve been at Meadow Park she has been one of the first voices that I’ve heard. She is a real icon of Arsenal. A really special person that will be sadly missed.”
Another said: “No one lived and breathed Arsenal more than MariaPetri .
“She will sadly be missed by us all, but her spirit and influence will live on! #OneMariaPetri #WeAreTheArsenal.”
While a fellow Gooner commented: “Maria Petri: A true Arsenal fan? Someone who supports their team through thick and thin. Does not abuse them.
“Who encourages them. They go to the matches. Whether they’re important matches or just tiny matches with small teams. That is a true fan.’ RIP Maria.”