New York’s mayor knows more about football than you – here’s why

You could argue that he's the world's most famous ‘Gooner’

Born to Indian parents in Uganda, Mamdani, 34, moved to New York when he was seven.

As he grew up in a city where sport offered a way to connect with neighbours and forge friendships, for the young Mamdani, football quickly became a tool for connection.

He had embraced Arsenal, the new Premier League champions, by the time he was a teenager.

And the North London club became a defining part of his identity not long after.

When Arsenal won the Premier League title undefeated in 2004, in what is known as the “Invincibles” season, Mamdani recalls watching players like Kolo Toure and Nwankwo Kanu growing up.

More than two decades later, he celebrated again

“22 years I’ve waited to put this on. As an Arsenal fan I am still struggling to process that this has actually happened”, Mamdani said last week as Arsenal secured their first title since the season of the “Invincibles”.

A group of Arsenal players were seen walking around the stadium, much to the surprise of a few fans who were still hanging around there, soaking it up and letting it all sink in.

Much like those fans, the New York mayor revealed he was awake for many more hours after Manchester City’s game against Bournemouth, which ended in a draw.

The 1-1 draw at Bournemouth meant the title was going to the Emirates for the first time since the club moved to the new stadium.

“I spent a lot of hours at the end of the workday looking at every video I could find with everyone celebrating outside of the Emirates Stadium. Seeing Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber, outside of Emirates Stadium at 5 AM, celebrating with fans. So many people across the city. We’re just overjoyed”, Mamdani revealed.

The “Gooners” are in big numbers also in the city which he leads, as he revealed he hugged many of them in celebration.

Following his election, Mamdani was congratulated by a club legend

Mamdani made an appearance on The Adam Friedland Show following his win in November of last year.

The newly elected mayor was expecting the typical nimble rundown of politics, jokes and conversational detours.

But what he wasn’t expecting was Ian Wright suddenly filling a phone screen with a congratulatory video. Former right-back Hector Bellerin also congratulated him on his historic achievement.

The former England and Arsenal striker saluted him on “what you’ve achieved”, urged him to channel that “winning energy” into the job.

As Mamdani smiled from ear to ear, he said: “I love this man.”

Mamdani knows ball - and here's what proves it

As he spoke about his love of Arsenal, Mamdani famously said: “Every day I wake up, I think about Sebastien Squillaci, Pascal Cygan, Marouane Chamakh.”

For many casual viewers, names like Squillaci, Cygan and Chamakh would have been extremely niche.

However, for Arsenal fans, Mamdani’s mentions of these players would likely have underscored just how invested the 34-year-old has been in the club’s fortunes.

Cygan, the former French defender who played in Arsenal colours for four seasons (2002-2006), said he intended to send a signed jersey to Mamdani after being name-checked by the newly-elected New York City mayor.

The French newspaper L’Equipe published an interview with Cygan, now 51, in which he said he and his family had been “moved” by the mention.

He was part of the Arsenal squad that famously went a whole Premier League season unbeaten in the 2003-04 campaign.

It’s most likely why he remains an unforgettable name for Mamdani, but the former player was taken aback nonetheless.

“He is the mayor of New York and one of the most famous people in the world”, Cygan said.

“We are hearing a lot about him right now. My parents were very touched when I told them the news.”

According to Cygan, this is the ball knowledge that proves just how deeply Mamdani is involved as an Arsenal fan, and what makes the difference between a genuine fan and a mere supporter.

One of the first names he learned as a ‘Gooner’

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was none other than Pascal Cygan.

“Pascal Cygan was one of the first names I ever learned as an Arsenal fan, and it’s hard for me to believe that my words reached his ears. He and the entire Invincibles team made history, and he’s incredibly kind to share that with us here in New York”, Mamdani told The Athletic.

Mamdani revealed during the campaign trail that he fell in love during the Arsene Wenger era, a period in which Arsenal won three Premier League titles between 1998 and 2004.

Mamdani is Deadline Day obsessed

“I’m an Arsenal fan”, he said with a big grin on his face, as he was asked “who’s your team?”.

“When you said you were from Sky News I got very excited, could you repeat the question one more time?”, Mamdani asked.

Chances are high he's not going to miss the next Deadline Day either, even if he has a much busier schedule now as mayor than he did as a teenager when he started his Arsenal love affair.