Arsenal gets furred up for charity

Top Arsenal players have been dressing up in furry animal costumes to raise cash for sick children.

Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Andrey Arshavin and Bacary Sagna took to the streets dressed as a lion, a rabbit, a shark and an owl to fundraise for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH).

The players have each donated a day’s wages to Arsenal’s ‘Be a Gooner. Be a Giver’ campaign which hopes to raise £500,000 towards a lung function unit for children with difficulty breathing or sleeping.

The players and club manager Arsene Wenger star in a light hearted promotional video for the fundraiser. Wenger appears bemused at his empty training ground while the players are out bucket shaking.

“The team and I have met some patients from Great Ormond Street Hospital on several occasions...and we’re all struck by the strength and courage they show in fighting their illnesses,” Wenger said.

“We understand the importance of helping to improve the facilities at the hospital and we’re encouraging all Arsenal fans to help in whatever way we can.”

The club is conducting a fundraising matchday and is encouraging supporters to contribute via www.beagoonerbeagiver.org.

Watch the players in action in the video below