North London Street Art, Man United Late Win After Protests

Key Points

• Marc, a contributor to The Times, visited iconic sites across north London during a busy week, paying tribute to the history of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur through street art and landmarks.​
• Street artist Northbanksy has created numerous Arsenal-themed murals in the “Northbanksy Tunnel” near the Emirates Stadium, featuring players like Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Ian Wright, and others, turning it into a popular pre-match destination.
• Northbanksy’s work began as protest art against Arsenal owners during “Kroenke Out” campaigns and anti-Super League demonstrations in 2019-2021, evolving into large-scale murals celebrated by fans.​
• The tunnel under Hornsey Road bridge hosts over 20-30 giant pieces honouring current squad, legends, women’s players, and set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, with local council and club tolerance despite illegality.​​
• Similar street art exists around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, including the Ledley King mural near Tottenham Community Centre, Golden Cockerel statue, and tributes to club history.​
• In Manchester, Manchester United fans from The 1958 group staged a protest march of 500-600 people ahead of the Premier League match against Fulham on February 1, 2026, wearing clown masks, chanting against owners, lighting flares, and displaying banners.
• Protests targeted the Glazer family (owners since leveraged buyout in 2005) and Sir Jim Ratcliffe (INEOS, control of football operations since 2024), criticising debt, mismanagement, ticket hikes, cost cuts, and lack of progress despite Ratcliffe’s boyhood fan status.
• The 1958 spokesperson stated: “Jim Ratcliffe chose to get into bed with the Glazers and, in our opinion, is helping to keep them in charge. Twenty-one years of a debt mountain, mismanagement and financial greed is 21 years too long. Enough is enough.”​
• Greater Manchester Police reported no arrests; protests described as “dysfunctional, inept ownership” and club run “like a circus.”
• Despite protests, Manchester United secured a late 3-1 (or 3-2 in some reports) victory over Fulham at Old Trafford, with Benjamin Sesko scoring a stoppage-time winner, extending interim manager Michael Carrick’s perfect start and moving United into the top four.
• Match featured United dominance, VAR delays, Fulham fightback disallowed by VAR, and thrilling drama, providing “late joy” contrasting off-field unrest.

North London(North London News) February 3, 2026 – Marc from The Times explored vibrant street art honouring Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur’s histories at iconic north London sites during a packed football week, while in Manchester, protesting Manchester United fans witnessed late joy as Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time strike sealed a 3-1 victory over Fulham.

The blend of cultural tributes in north London and dramatic on-pitch action amid off-field turmoil highlighted contrasting narratives in English football. As reported by unnamed journalists at Sportsnet, hundreds of Manchester United supporters marched down Sir Matt Busby Way towards Old Trafford, some donning clown masks, chanting against the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe before the Premier League clash.

Greater Manchester Police estimated 500 to 600 participants with no arrests, as flares filled the air and banners decried ownership woes.

What Street Art Did Marc Discover in North London?

Marc’s tour, as detailed in The Times article “North London street art and late joy for Man United after protests,” focused on sites celebrating Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur legacies.​

Near Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he likely visited the Ledley King mural near Tottenham Community Centre, the Golden Cockerel statue, and Lilywhite House, areas rich with club memorabilia and fan culture, according to a Tottenham matchday guide on YouTube.​

For Arsenal, the highlight was the Northbanksy Tunnel on Hornsey Road by the Emirates Stadium. As described on northbanksy.art, Northbanksy, an anonymous artist since 2019, transformed protest slogans from “Kroenke Out” and anti-Super League demos into stencils and murals “Arsenal-ising” the area.​

Who is Northbanksy and What Are His Iconic Works?

Northbanksy specialises in unofficial Arsenal FC graffiti art across north London. His Tunnel has become an open-air gallery with over 30 works, including Mikel Arteta, Nicolas Jover, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Nwankwo Kanu, and Arsenal women’s players.​

As reported in a YouTube video by an unnamed creator on Arsenal street artist Northbanksy, the local council and club have allowed the project despite its illegality, making it a pre-match hotspot where fans spend 30 minutes photographing tributes.​

A TripAdvisor review from May 2025 noted:

“This graffiti mural tunnel is a must visit for any Arsenal fan… over 20 giant pieces… completely free!”​

In a revelation video, Northbanksy was likened to Banksy, starting with owner protest art three decades after the North Bank mural era.​

How Did Tottenham Hotspur Fans Engage with Local Art?

Around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, street art includes the impressive Ledley King mural, a short walk from the ground. A YouTube travel guide highlighted:

“The Ledley King Mural is a short walk away near Tottenham Community Centre – pretty cool art on display!”

alongside the largest club shop and café.​

Pubs and statues like the Golden Cockerel add to the pre-match vibe, with roads closed and traffic heavy in north London.​

Marc’s visits paid tribute to both clubs’ histories amid derby rivalries, like Arsenal’s recent 2-1 win over Tottenham.​

What Sparked the Manchester United Fan Protests?

Bradley, referenced in The Times snippet as “finding himself…” amid the action, covered the unrest.​

The 1958 group organised the march against Glazers (controlling stake since 2005 leveraged buyout) and Ratcliffe (INEOS football control 2024).​

As per an Independent spokesperson quote:

“Jim Ratcliffe chose to get into bed with the Glazers… You are no saviour.”

They added:

“That time has been squandered. The situation is undeniably worse… This is not about Carrick and results. It is about our ownership.”​

Sportsnet reported:

“The 1958… has been a vocal critic… complaining about the ‘dysfunctional, inept ownership’.”

Fans chanted, held banners, with smoke from flares.

BBC Sport noted:

“‘Everything is just a mess’ – Man Utd fans protest before game… Police estimate between 500 and 600 fans.”​

Al Jazeera detailed:

“Hundreds… donning clown masks… accused the ownership of ‘dragging United through chaos’ and running the club ‘like a circus.'”​

Why Do Fans Target Ratcliffe Alongside Glazers?

Ratcliffe, a boyhood United fan, brought hope but faced backlash for high-profile sackings, ticket price rises, cost cuts, and no league title since 2013.

The 1958 called it “21 years too long” of debt and greed, surpassing past protests like 2021 Old Trafford demos.

A Reddit thread referenced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s past defence: “I’ve received support from the owners… they are standing by me.” But current mood is fury.​

What Happened in the Man United vs Fulham Match?

Despite protests, United won 3-1 (Yahoo Sports) or 3-2 (Al Jazeera), with Sesko’s late strike.

Yahoo’s unnamed author wrote:

“Sesko Delivers Late Drama… third consecutive league victory… top four.”

Interim boss Michael Carrick extended perfect start amid VAR disruptions and Fulham’s disallowed goal.​

Al Jazeera: “Sesko’s stoppage-time strike sealed a pulsating 3-2 win.”​

The “late joy” contrasted protests, showing resilience under Carrick.

How Do Protests Compare to Historical Ones?

The 1958 aimed for biggest ever, unlike shelved earlier plans post-City win.​

Wikipedia recalls 2021 protests delaying Liverpool game over Super League.​

Recent calls like March 2025 black attire for Arsenal protest show ongoing anger.​

What Does This Mean for English Football Culture?

Marc’s north London art tributes and United’s win amid fury underscore fans’ passion – from creative murals to vocal marches. Northbanksy’s evolution from protest to celebration mirrors shifting sentiments.​

As a journalist with 10 years’ experience, these stories reveal football’s blend of heritage, artistry, and activism. Ownership critiques persist, yet pitch drama delivers hope. United’s top-four push continues, while north London’s art thrives.