In a heartwarming initiative Arsenal have joined together with the north London community to help boost businesses hit by the Covid pandemic, through a series of visits from first team players. 

Earlier this month the Premier League giants showcased The Tollington, a popular pub frequented by Gooners near to the Emirates.

Representing Arsenal, defender Rob Holding popped by the boozer to highlight their business. And now, club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is doing the same, this time with long-standing Holloway Road company, Autoparts. 

The family business has been on the Holloway Road, a  corner kick from the Emirates, for 48 years. 

Read on for more as Arsenal showcase brilliant local businesses once more 

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Arsenal captain Aubameyang has come together with Autoparts, a car part and accessory shop, as part of the build up to the North London derby to feature in a 30 second advertisment with business owner, John Selby.

In the ad, Aubameyang drives to Autoparts to underline the business has parts for all types of cars, and in the scene is delighted to see a pair of fluffy dice.

While the ad is humourous, there is a serious side, because it is designed to promote the business and will be seen by Arsenal’s local and global family - with the aim of Gooners coming together to support each other.  

John Selby, Autoparts owner said: “For a little business like ours, it’s kind of felt like a lottery win.  It’s not just the exposure, it’s the feeling of something good happening, enjoying the fun of the film shoot and all of that.

“It’s been so tough during the pandemic, it’s felt like everything was against you. People moved their business online and became used to that, but the bills don’t stop and then there’s road closures, just everything. For something like this to happen out of the blue like this, it was just amazing.” 

Alongside Arsenal players, a variety of local businesses will feature in the campaign, some of which will be well known to Arsenal fans and others that need the extra support and awareness. 

Along with the adverts which are aired across the businesses’ and club channels - including the stadium’s big screens - the businesses will be a part of Arsenal fixtures and feature on the perimeter boards and inside the matchday programme. 

Arsenal Captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang added: “It was a lot of fun to meet John and his family to film the advert ahead of the game.  We all need to support each other right now. We know the difference the fans make to us and it’s good to be able to give something back.

“We’ve missed the fans and so many businesses have too. It’s been tough, but this is something nice, simple and just fun.”

Inspired by player-business partnerships of yesteryear and kicked off by The Tollington and Holding, this is the second instalment in a series of local businesses pairing up with members of the Arsenal men’s and women’s teams to raise awareness of their services and drive footfall on and around matchday.

Arsenal recognises it’s not just the club celebrating a return of fans, but many local businesses and community organisations who surround the local area.

Talking about the campaign, Arsenal CEO, Vinai Venkatesham added: “This is one of a number of ways we are trying to support the local community.  After listening to the local businesses involved, it was clear there was one thing in particular they needed – awareness.

"So, we got to work on creating a series of adverts in partnership with them which will hopefully ensure every Arsenal fan knows who they are and how they can use the brilliant services they offer.”

To watch the Autoparts advert and learn more about the initiative, go to arsenal.com or follow @Arsenal on social media to discover the businesses involved in the initiative which will feature across our first five home games this season.