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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published:5 December 2008

Bob Wilson

Arsenal legend’s praise for the boys and the borough that made him

FORMER Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson OBE has revealed he would give anything to play between the posts at the Emirates Stadium.
Broadcaster and commentator Mr Wilson told the Tribune he believed the Emirates Stadium was the most beautiful stadium in the country.
He was speaking just before turning on the Christmas lights at the Nag’s Head Shopping Centre in Holloway on Friday.
Mr Wilson, who played for Arsenal between 1963 and 1974, said: “I’ve never switched the lights on in Islington. I’m quite proud.
“It’s Charlie George territory and he played on the same Arsenal double winning side as me, and he’s a local boy, so I’m really pleased that I’ve beaten him to switching on the lights.”
Mr Wilson was greeted by a huge crowd of well-wishers keen to get him to sign autographs or copies of his new book. Children from Grafton Primary School crammed into the centre with tinsel-adorned Christmas lanterns and sang songs to mark the occasion.
Mr Wilson led the countdown to the switch-on, before the crowd was treated to a live music performance from a Mexican Mariachi band.
Mr Wilson, who was Arsenal’s player of the year in their famous double-winning season in 1971, said: “I owe so much to this area. Without Islington and my part as an Arsenal player I wouldn’t have been able to go on to my TV and broadcasting career.
“I first drove into Islington in 1963 as a college boy when they wanted to sign me. I fell in love with it and I’m still in love with it.”
He added: “The Emirates Stadium is the most beautiful stadium in the country. I would have loved to have played in it. I get nervous every time I walk through the tunnel and would give anything to play in goal there.”
He also said he has great faith in the team, despite it’s mixed fortunes this season, adding: “There’s a little difficulty with Arsenal at the moment but it’s not a problem. If you see them play so beautifully as they did against Man U you know they are going to go great places – whether it’s this season remains to be seen but you’ve just got have faith in them. They’re a wonderful team with a wonderful manager.”

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