Academy Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee has collaborated with Arsenal FC for the first time to direct Who Are Ya?, a new short film that blends football culture with sharp commentary on the modern game’s financial realities.
The production features a mix of actors, supporters, and club icons, including Thierry Henry, Rachel Yankey, and Aaron Pierre, alongside appearances from Arsenal legend Martin Keown, actor Jasmine Jobson, and current players Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhães, and Viktor Gyökeres.
At first glance, the film mirrors the familiar atmosphere of football debates in pubs across England, with animated exchanges and clashing opinions. However, as the narrative unfolds, it pivots into deeper conversations around financial systems and the business of football, highlighting the evolving sophistication of supporters’ understanding of the game beyond the pitch.
Directed in Lee’s signature style, Who Are Ya? incorporates his iconic “double dolly” shot technique, notably featuring Henry, while weaving humour, cultural references, and dialogue rooted in Arsenal’s fan culture. The film ultimately presents supporters as not just passionate followers, but informed voices in discussions about football finance and governance.
Speaking about the project, Lee underscored his long-standing connection to the club and the inspiration behind the film. “I’ve been riding with Arsenal for years – it started with Thierry. But what really stayed with me is what the club stands for, its history, its culture, the way it reflects the world beyond the pitch,” he told Arsenal.com. He added, “With Who Are Ya?, I wanted to capture that real supporter energy—the passion, the debates, the humour. Fans today don’t just follow the game, they understand everything around it too.”
Lee also noted the integration of Arsenal’s partner into the narrative, explaining that “bringing Airwallex into that conversation felt natural, because the film plays on how fans now talk about the business side of football just as much as what happens on the pitch. This film is about that voice, that culture, and that community” (Arsenal.com).
Matt Jennings, Global Creative Director at Airwallex, said the campaign was designed to resonate authentically with supporters. “Let’s be honest – most Arsenal supporters haven’t heard of Airwallex, and we didn’t want to be a random logo on a perimeter board; so we decided to introduce our Arsenal partnership in a way supporters couldn’t ignore,” he said, as quoted by Arsenal.com. He added, “Football isn’t just 90 minutes on the pitch – it’s the talk about money, business, and tactics that happen at the pub every week.”
Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer Juliet Slot emphasized the broader objective of the collaboration, highlighting fan engagement and global connection. “Our partnerships are at their best when, together with partners like Airwallex, we lift our supporters and bring them closer to us,” she said (Arsenal.com). “Who Are Ya? is a celebration of the incredible passion of our community, and how we can use our shared platforms to connect us wherever we are in the world.”
The film marks a unique intersection of sport, cinema, and commerce, reinforcing Arsenal’s effort to deepen its cultural footprint while engaging a global fanbase increasingly attuned to both the emotional and financial dimensions of football.
