When a sixth-generation Arsenal fan made a montage of the 1971 Cup Final little did he realise twelve months on he would be hosting a critically-acclaimed Arsenal art show with thousands of visitors expected.

But for 38 year-old ‘Dan Mac’ as he is known – his mixture of a Wembley Cup Final match ticket, programme and match photos from the immortal victory over Liverpool in May ’71 - changed his life.

As the Borehamwood-born Gunner said modestly: “Around this time last year I made an Arsenal piece of art for myself, took a photo of it and just tweeted it – Fresno Gooners saw it and retweeted and it took off from there.

“The feedback has been really positive. 150 people turned up at the first #OpAa at Piebury Corner in June – and it wasn’t even the football season,” he adds, still incredulous from the numbers of fans and customers who turned up - through the power of social media, and lured by the promise of superb Arsenal-related creativity on show.

“People came along specifically to buy items who we hadn’t met but had interacted with on twitter.

“We’ve also had interest from high-profile Arsenal fans such as Dermot O’Leary. He and Boyd Hilton bought our Cup Final rosettes!

“Fleet Street journalists Amy Lawrence and Harry Pratt have also been impressed by the work. Andy Exley has featured our artwork in the last three Arsenal magazines, and we are fortunate enough to have him include us in the match-day programme for Burnley this weekend.

“Jill Armstrong and her family came to the one in June, and we’ve had powerful social media backing from people like Geoff Arsenal and Darren Arsenal and Jules Wheeler to name but a few.

“Andy Bell [Beady Eye's ex-Oasis - and for aficionados such as myself cult early 90s indie band Ride - guitarist who has been known to spin a pre-match tune or two at PC] will be playing over the weekend. And of course Piebury Corner owners Paul and Nicky Campbell have been great supporters from the off.

“The interest has been phenomenal – we are expecting thousands of people over the course of the weekend.

“Bob Wilson is a huge supporter and he will be judging the kids competition with the winners to be featured in this weekend’s show – and we are also big fans of the Willow Foundation.”

After the huge success of the last exhibition at Piebury Corner, the second #OpAa will be featuring new up-and-coming artists, as well as those who have been with them from the beginning, with a greater range of affordable art prints available - perfect timing for a bit of (very) early Christmas shopping.

Artists will include @artofsport @paineproffitt @11cannons @23dawit @miniboro @rincks @jfdoodles @nine-0 @dammydodger @goonerfrog @tashakp @quietbritishaccent @urbancolours & @alsnotnutz

If you don’t recognise any of those names then you are missing out on some very talented and creative artists - and I would urge you to go along this weekend to take a look (and buy!) their stunning work.

As a disclaimer I have written for various publications which have featured a few of the exceptionally innovative people listed above, including international match programmes and the current issue of The Football Pink which carries a superb Paine Proffit depiction of Highbury.

So, if nothing else I will be going this Friday night to have a drink and a chat with them - and see if I can pick up a print or two of course.

Make no mistake: this is the future of sports art, and football art in particular. And we are privileged as Gooners to see our club at the vanguard of such a movement.

If you’re in the area make sure you pop down to see the exhibition – as an added bonus Dan and a lot of these artists are bona-fide Arsenal fans. In fact Dan’s mum was born in Elwood Street next to Highbury and his great-great grandfather helped to build our glorious East and West Stands which Dan then sat in after graduating from the original North Bank, Highbury. In a fitting nod to his pioneering forebear he now has a season ticket in the East Lower at the Grove.

For no further proof look at what Dan’s granddad used to tell him in a mantra I’m sure we all agree with: “It’s not Arsenal – it’s The Arsenal.”

As Dan says passionately: “Our mission is to foster the love of our club through arts promotion, making affordable art available to all and pushing a positive image of football and its supporters remain strong. We are also very proud to continue our great relationship with The Willow Foundation, raising money and awareness for this fantastically worthy charity.”