The Gunners were out in force on Thursday night for the club’s annual fundraiser for the Arsenal Foundation.

  • The event was hosted by comedian (and Gooner) Matt Lucas
  • Players and fans smashed last year’s total
  • Mertesacker led first team on stage
  • Ozil and Alexis were both in attendance
  • Funds will go towards helping local area of Islington as well as nations in need

Per Mertesacker led almost all of Arsenal’s first team, including the likes of Mesut Ozil, Petr Cech, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and even the lesser spotted Santi Cazorla and Yaya Sanogo, out on stage during the fundraiser.

https://twitter.com/MesutOzil1088/status/865273499757293570

Last year, the annual event, which sees a mix of players and fans raise funds for the Arsenal Foundation by bidding on certain Arsenal-related items and experiences, raised £385,000. However, this year, a staggering £464,841 was donated.

Items included a private dinner with Arsene Wenger, which sold for £24,000; the chance for a fan to be pictured in next season’s team photo, which eventually went for £5,500; and a round of foot golf with the Ox (£2,800).

https://twitter.com/AFC_Foundation/status/865291491966636032

Interestingly, the Daily Mail claim that Alexis didn’t attend Arsenal’s ‘A Night to Inspire’ amid speculation that he’s leaving this summer. However, as you can see, he was very much there.