I’m delighted to announce today the latest addition to the Arsenal FC Blog Shop.
“Chibi Cesc!!” is an ode to our beloved captain, who leads like a king but plays with the enthusiasm and vigour of a child. Inspired by the iconic Japanese cartoon Captain Tsubsa (aka Olive & Tom) “Chibi Cesc!!” is designed by Sonia, an illustrator/digital designer and passionate Arsenal supporter from Philadelphia in the US.
Click here to support the Arsenal FC Blog by purchasing a shirt!
Like every single AFCB shirt, the latest design comes in a range of different colours, ships all over the world and is available for the very excellent price of £16.50 (excl. VAT). So do your bit to support the Arsenal FC Blog and a buddy young Arsenal-loving designer — we’re trying to make a living, after all! — and get your shirt now.
To celebrate the release of our great new shirt, I interviewed Sonia to find out more about her designs and her love of all things Arsenal…
What is your relationship with Arsenal and the Arsenal FC Blog?
I have been a passionate Arsenal fan for many years. But being so far away from London made it really hard to find a great Gooner community. Last year I came across the Arsenal FC Blog and after reading a few articles, I subscribed. Now I follow the blog daily and speak with Andrew about football regularly.
Have you enjoyed watching the boys this season?
I have enjoyed it! Especially when beating Chelsea — because we didn’t look scared or hesitant anymore. Now the team is building the right momentum and hopefully we will get some silverware very soon!
Has anything particular surprised or impressed you?
I have been very surprised and saddened by Arshavin’s performances. I hope he will get back on track and start believing in himself again. But the player who has impressed me the most has been Samir Nasri. He’s just incredible!
Where did you get the idea and inspiration for the shirt design? Why Cesc?
When Andrew and I spoke about this project, I did a lot of research and drawings. I was mainly inspired by a famous Japanese Anime that I watched when I was very young, Captain Tsubsa (aka Olive & Tom). As I drew, I had Cesc in mind, because he’s my favorite player and the captain of the team. It’s a miniature version of Cesc, which is a popular sub-genre called “chibi” in manga.
What sorts of other work have you done in the past?
Since I graduated in May of 2010, I have been busy working on my own brand Angel S. Design and also for some clients. I design everything from logos, websites, motion graphics and even skateboards! Most of my work is inspired by Japanese manga and anime.
Can we expect to see you work on any future designs for the Arsenal FC Blog?
Certainly! Arsenal has many amazing players. I would like to draw each one of them in cool pose. My main goal is for all the Gooners to wear something unique. I hope you all like it and give me the chance to create more.
For more great manga designs from Sonia check out Sonia’s website, read her blog or follow her on Twitter.
Thoughts?
Have your say on the latest Arsenal FC Blog shirt by leaving a comment.
Another Philadelphia-area Gooner! And looks like she’s a bit otaku (Google it) as well? Cool!
@ Paolo – Just Googled, nice! I think she’d take it as a compliment 🙂 What you think of the design?
Grt job Sonia ,, i’m frm nepal ,, opposite pole to u and a die-hard GUNNER !! I’d lyk to buy one whch i’l think abt bt u should continue ur work for our beloved GUNNERS all over the world !! All the best !!
Nic work sonia, would love to buy one of them shirts. Am from nigeria,am fanatic, i love arsenal with al my heart they flow in my blood
@ flakes – Let me know if you have any problems with purchasing. You’ll get them tax-free from Nigeria but the postage might be slightly higher.
Definitely liking the style…are there more planned?
@Andy….Does any other individual sports team blog have such a multi cultural/global following??…Im impressed by how many countries your wise words touch sir.
Forgive the corporate speak but I admire the “value-added” nature of the blog – keep up the great work. While I confess I’m not a huge fan of anime or the manga style, I know talent when I see it and I’ll check out Sonia’s website later today.
In the meantime here’s something for all Gunners everywhere:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/583366-arsenal-gunning-for-the-title-25-reasons-they-can-win-the-premier-league
Can’t say I necessarily agree with everything, but it’s nice large dose of positivity (is that a word?) for the notoriously fickle Arsenal fan base.
Cheers,
1NTTA
@ Lux – I’m not too sure. I’m sure there must be others out there that do the same.
Regarding the designs, yes, there will always be new designs in the pipeline. Any requests?
@ 1NTTA – There’s a heap of other designs that are worth checking out. I think we’re up to 8 now, which is pretty damn cool when I look back on it. Sonia’s is a particularly good one, while the last line of comic book-styled ones were well-wicked too.
Id love to see what you come up with for Chesney??
Also I was wondering if theres going to be a Wenger one….
awesome work…second that, need a Wenger one
@ Lux / Mark – I’ve got some plans to have a go at Djourou, Denilson and Szczesny in the near future. Had to get the popular boys out of the way first though.
There IS a Wenger one already though, although it is type-based. You can check out all of the designs currently in the shop via the link below. Plenty of good ones:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/afcb/portfolio
Wenger has hardly ever done much business in the January transfer windows in the past(with very few exceptions). This for me shows a manager with foresight and confidence in the squad he assembles at the start of the season-no panic buying, with the attendant possibility of unsettling the team.
The excuse usually sited for bringing in new players-injury, does not really wash. If that was the case, you need “cover” for every position on the team. And remember, Wenger is limited to a 25-man squad.
I will again trust the judgement of the management team who spend their every waking moment thinking about the team.
P.S. My last birthday presents were the Wenger and Song shirts. And they are great. But I suggest that you get one size larger because they tend to come smaller than usual.
@ Byo – Thanks for the feedback mate. Any chance you could send me a photo? No worries if not, just great to see how they look on people.
Sonia here,Thanks everybody for the amazing feedback 😀 I was so happy to create this print!
@Paolo, yes I’m a bit Otaku! Glad to see you know about the manga culture. And yes there are some crazy Philadelphia Gooners 😀
@Luxinho I have been imagining Chesney for quite some time now. I really like his character. 😉 I should start to draw more stuff very soon!
Thanks for all the comments! I read all of them! thaaaaaaaaank you!
@Andrew- I can get a photo to you. Where to though? andrew@arsenalfcblog.com?
@ Byo – Here: https://arsenalfcblog.com/contact/
Apologies Andy…Id forgotten about the “In Arsene we trust” one….Although a more visual one would be much better.
Cant wait to see the Chesney one Sonia (although my mind is conjuring up all kinds of Chesney Hawkes mole images!!)
I definitely like the Manga version (and hope theres more) as well as the Superheroes…Im putting an order through today …hopefully…What size should i go for for a 42″ chest?
Ignore that last question about chest size…..looking at the info on the shop site I would be a man mountain with that chest size!
@ Lux – Let me know if you need help.
Where on earth are you all ?
mrswoo – I’m in Berlin, is that what you mean? Can’t speak for the others except Lux, who is in Brazil, and Sonia, who is in the US.
Andy….as you could probably tell from my twitter rant Paypal suck….But tomorrow the Cesc T will be mine!!
@Andrew- Will do with help from the boss(wife). Thanks.
@mrswoo- I’m in Charlottesville, VA(US).
I really consider this particular blog , “Cesc gets Mangarized for a brilliant new Arsenal FC Blog shirt”,
highly engaging and the blog post was a remarkable read.
Thanks a lot,Marion