KINGSTON, Jamaica –For 39-year-old graphic designer, Russell McGibbon, the highlight of his 17-year career has been his logo design for Arsenal Jamaica being featured on Arsenal’s new mural.

The longtime Arsenal fan understandably was on cloud nine when the north London club unveiled their newest murals at the Emirates stadium last Wednesday.

The Havendale native is a self-taught graphic designer that has an extensive portfolio, boasting collaborations with the likes of Stones, Carib and I love Soca.

“It was an extremely proud and fulfilling moment. I did this design from May last year [when] I linked up with Lumos, who is the founder of the Arsenal Jamaica Supporters group and formerly from Arsenal Fan TV,” McGibbon told OBSERVER ONLINE.

“I am a huge Arsenal fan and I was keenly watching the unveiling video from Arsenal and I glimpsed it for a brief second initially. I saw it and I knew it immediately and I was filled with so much joy knowing that me, as a Jamaican – very humble background and very humble beginnings – just to see my work on display, it was a really fulfilling moment,” the excited fan explained as he recalled witnessing the unveiling video for the first time.

McGibbon was quick to detail the origins of his love for Arsenal and credited France for winning the 1998 World and sparking his interest in football.

“I’ve been an Arsenal fan since the late 90s. I was exposed to club football in the latter part of my high school years and I was instantly a fan of Arsenal. France had just won the 1998 World cup at that time and they were a lot of french players at Arsenal. I was a big fan of the style of football that Arsenal was playing it was the most entertaining in England at the time. I’ve been an Arsenal fan since they were still winning premier league titles and I’ve stuck with the team, seen them through a lot of success and also a lot of failures and turbulences,” McGibbon explained.

As for the inspiration for the now-famous logo, the graphic designer credits the design for wanting it to have a ‘Jamaican feel’ while paying homage to Arsenal’s logo.

“I wanted it to have a very Jamaican feel. I incorporated the Jamaican flag design within a circle even using the Arsenal crest and canon, the same font on the Arsenal crest but just to give it a Jamaican feel,’ said McGibbon.

McGibbon also raved about the recurring support the North London club continues to show Jamaican fans and culture.

“It’s a great feeling to know that the club treasures the fan group, Diaspora, from our community and our culture. It’s a wonderful feeling. Earlier in the season, when Adidas released the training jersey in Jamaican colours, it made me feel some sort of national pride because Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the whole world. Despite us[Arsenal] not being very successful on the pitch, our fan base is a very loyal fanbase, globally recognised as one of the best clubs in the world, the history that we have and to know that they recognise our little country, it’s such a wonderful feeling,” he admitted.

McGibbon fantasised at the idea of one day going to the Emirates to eventually pose in front of his design.

“I am excited at the prospect of just taking my picture at my club in front of my work; stuff that I did being on display at my stadium. It’s a very exciting idea and I would love to visit the Emirates stadium one day,” admitted McGibbon.

The 39-year-old says he has been getting calls and congratulations as it relates to his work being showcased.

“I felt a lot of personal pride and I have been getting so many congratulations and well wishes ever since last week. It’s a huge accomplishment for me knowing the level of recognition for something I did. It’s truly a great feeling,” McGibbon told OBSERVER ONLINE.