A FOOTBALL fanatic schoolboy from Purley was given the opportunity of a lifetime when he was chosen from 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" – belonging to 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 that, but Christopher got to kick around on the pitch with the players and bagged their autographs.
"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!"
Arsenal player Santi Cazorla 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 match day.
"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!"
