Arsenal Football Club is in mourning following the death of former director and board member Richard Carr.

The Premier League giants confirmed the news in an emotional statement on their official website on Tuesday, offering heartfelt condolences to Carr’s family and friends.

“We are sad to learn that former Arsenal director and board member Richard Carr has passed away,” the statement read. “Everyone at the club is thinking of Richard’s loved ones during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Richard.”

Born in 1938, Carr was a significant figure in Arsenal’s history, holding nearly five per cent of the club’s shares before selling them to Stan Kroenke in May 2008. His tenure marked an era when board members were deeply intertwined with the club’s identity, long before modern football’s corporate landscape took full shape.

His passing comes just days before Arsenal’s high-profile Premier League clash with Manchester United — a fixture steeped in tradition and rivalry.

Opinion:
Richard Carr may not have been a household name to younger fans, but in many ways, he represented the quiet backbone of a football club. Directors like him often work behind the scenes, shaping the business, safeguarding the heritage, and making the decisions that ripple through decades.

In a time when football is becoming increasingly globalised and commercially driven, remembering figures like Carr is vital. They remind us that a club is not just its players and managers — it is also the legacy of those who have stewarded it through time.

As Arsenal take to the pitch this weekend, the match will be about more than points. It will also be a moment for the Arsenal family, on and off the field, to honour a man who dedicated a chapter of his life to the club’s story.