The car crash that is the year 2020 continues.
In a deadline twist like no other, news broke that beloved Arsenal mascot Gunnersauras was being made redundant as part of cost cutting measures at the Emirates.
A sad day. ?? pic.twitter.com/geGu21tI7j
— 90min (@90min_Football) October 5, 2020
The mascot is as old as the Premier League itself, with super-fan Jerry Quy first donning the dinosaur outfit back in 1993.
Gunnersaurus has seen it all at Arsenal; Arsene Wenger's appointment in 1996 and subsequent revolution at the club, the move from Highbury to the Emirates and the highs of the Invincibles, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp to the lows of their eight-season long trophy drought and the 2011 League Cup final defeat to Birmingham.
Gunnersaurus had a front row seat to witness the highest of highs at Arsenal as the club lifted 11 major domestic honours during his 27-year tenure.
The last Invincible has left Arsenal. Thanks for the memories @Gunnersaurus ? pic.twitter.com/sXzY3p91wq
— Mike. (@mikesanz19) October 5, 2020
Gunnersaurus is the last remaining member of Arsenal's Invincibles to leave the club.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 5, 2020
The end of an era ? pic.twitter.com/D2ZaILIz5x
— Gunnersaurus (@Gunnersaurus) September 28, 2020
A huge contributor to the success that Arsenal achieved during Gunnersaurus' career was Wenger, and the duo shared a loving relationship.
Find someone who looks at you like @Gunnersaurus looks at Arsene Wenger ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ESy1FbDTMt
— Steph (@stephpgold) March 29, 2020
Good to see Gunnersaurus join in with Arsene Wenger's guard of honour. Touch of class. pic.twitter.com/lzSRcajVPA
— 888sport (@888sport) May 6, 2018
Forgot about this @squires_david bit ????? pic.twitter.com/UGaCvwISXY
— Tom Usher (@tom_usher_) October 5, 2020
Wenger was also on hand to witness Gunnersaurus' infamous dizzy penalty. A typical British footballer, Gunnersaurus was not quite blessed with the balance of the silky continental players that have graced the game - much to Wenger's amusement.
Arsene Wenger and Gunnersaurus doing the dizzy challenge in 2015 ? #TBT pic.twitter.com/kzOnd61ZQj
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 26, 2020
Gunnersaurus was fortunate enough to meet a selection of the finest players to ever pull on an Arsenal shirt - and some big name celebrity fans of differing popularity and at varying stages of their careers.
Terrible news ? Love you Jerry ❤️ @Gunnersaurus pic.twitter.com/zL3G8c6MAw
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) October 5, 2020
The streets will never forget. #gunnersaurus @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/spOb2FJ2Mq
— Jack Whitehall (@jackwhitehall) October 5, 2020
You’re going nowhere @Gunnersaurus.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 5, 2020
I refuse to let @Arsenal sack you. Come on @m8arteta @Aubameyang7 - this is not what our club is about. ??#savegunnersaurus pic.twitter.com/KuHZvtQ22Z
His exit has been met with messages of love and support from the football community.
Sending hugs, @Gunnersaurus. ? pic.twitter.com/nMEt2x1WNg
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 5, 2020
You've got a friend in me @Gunnersaurus ??
— Sporting CP English (@SportingCP_en) October 5, 2020
#Jubas pic.twitter.com/06jsywj5CL
And even a transfer offer or two...
Hi Gunnersaurus! Sorry to hear the news, Andrey Arshavin says you're welcome at the Gazprom Arena any time. pic.twitter.com/3rKo4xYFWa
— FC Zenit in English✨ (@fczenit_en) October 5, 2020
https://t.co/kijaxwHDue pic.twitter.com/YtIG4TJbsp
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) October 5, 2020
So @Atalanta_BC, have we got place left for a new job? pic.twitter.com/YuRLYzN5pJ
— Marten de Roon (@Dirono) October 5, 2020
And quite right too; having watched a golden generation of Arsenal talent from the sideline, the mascot was able to absorb some of the tricks of the trade from the goalkeeping greats to have forged their name in Gunners' folklore over the past 27 years; David Seaman, Jens Lehman, Richard Wright.
You will be missed, @Gunnersaurus ? pic.twitter.com/Q97QBgKbRZ
— Goal (@goal) October 5, 2020
Source: 90min
