Arsenal Stars Bring Festive Joy to Great Ormond Street Hospital
Arsenal players Bukayo Saka and the three Gabriel brothers—Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Magalhães—visited Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Koala Ward to meet five long-term patients and deliver presents. Simon, a young Arsenal fan who attended with his mother Fatima Allard, wore a fluorescent yellow Arsenal away shirt during the visit. During a penalty shootout session, Simon nutmegged Saka and scored again with his other foot, also mimicking Martinelli’s goal celebration.
The visit took place during a midweek without a Premier League fixture since the end of August. Other Arsenal figures engaged in community activities included Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino at the Arsenal Hub. Eze was pictured playing bowls with young player Ethan Nwaneri, while Merino took part in a boxing class.
Arsenal’s support for Great Ormond Street Hospital includes funding a lung function unit that was opened in 2012 by Arsène Wenger. Danny Bell, a paediatric physiotherapist, emphasized the importance of physical activity for recovery and mental health in children with health conditions. Maya, a brain-tumour patient who missed the visit due to illness, has progressed in her rehabilitation through swimming.
Martinelli highlighted the strong community connection with supporters, and Saka said the visit provided motivation for the rest of the season. Despite concerns about his groin injury, Gabriel Magalhães participated in the visit and did not have to take the goalkeeper position during the penalty shootout.
