Arsenal are wearing black armbands in their friendly against Chelsea as a tribute to Maria Petri.
Maria, who had been a staunch Arsenal supporter since 1950, passed away aged 82 this week.
She regularly attended games at Highbury and the Emirates Stadium and also closely followed Arsenal’s Ladies side since they were founded in 1987.
As a tribute to Maria, Arsenal’s players wore black armbands in their pre-season fixture against Chelsea in Orlando on Saturday evening.
‘We are all really sorry to hear the news,’ Mikel Arteta said on Friday.
‘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.’
In their tribute to Maria, Arsenal wrote: ‘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.
‘Maria began following Arsenal in 1950, aged just 12 and remained a staunch supporter for the rest of her life.
‘Maria often said that “Arsenal was her family” and that family is devastated today. She also said: “I shall be oh so upset when I die, I won’t be able to watch Arsenal anymore.”
‘Well, 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.’
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