A football fanatic schoolboy from Purley was given the opportunity of a life time when he was chosen among 30,000 fans to be a mascot for his favourite team last week.
Christopher Finch, an eight year old from Brancaster Lane in Riddlesdown, is a 'Junior Gunner' - Arsenal's young supporters club - and was drawn out of a hat to be the team's mascot at their 4-1 victory over Wigan Athletic on May 14.
At the match, he walked his heroes out onto the pitch for a kick-off at Emirates Stadium in a brand new Arsenal kit. Not only did he gear them up for the victorious match, Christopher got to kick around on the pitch with his players and bagged autographs from the team.
"It was brilliant to have been chosen to be the mascot and to walk the team out onto the pitch, especially for our last home game of the season," said the delighted youngster who attends Gresham Primary in Sanderstead.
"Getting to see all the players was the best part of the evening though, especially having the chance to meet Santi Cazorla!"
The boy's dad, Andrew, who is responsible for the family's die-hard support of Arsenal, said: "I pretty much brainwashed the family into it and Christopher has loved them since he started watching at about four or five.
"It was amazing seeing him on the pitch with all his favourite players and everyone at his school were really excited - he was a mini celebrity for a bit!
"We've been sent loads of photos so they're all going together in a big book. He hasn't stopped talking about it since."
The Arsenal footballer Cazorla himself said: "It was good to meet Christopher ahead of the match with Wigan Athletic and to give him a behind the scenes look at how things work on a matchday.
"I know I'd have loved to do something like that when I was a kid so I hope he had an evening he'll remember for a long time to come!"
Sue Campbell, manager of the Junior Gunners said: "We were delighted to offer Christopher the chance to be our mascot for the game against Wigan Athletic. This is one of the many occasions throughout the year where our Junior Gunners get the opportunity to meet their heroes, and it is always a memorable experience."
