'Victory, concord grow' – Ferdinand Omanyala issues rallying call to fans after Arsenal's title blow

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala

'Victory, concord grow' – Ferdinand Omanyala issues rallying call to fans after Arsenal's title blow

Festus Chuma 21:50 - 22.02.2025

Ferdinand Omanyala has issued a passionate rallying call to his fans, drawing inspiration from Arsenal’s resilience after their shocking defeat.

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has urged his fans to emulate Arsenal supporters and stand by him through both triumphs and setbacks following the Gunners' shock 1-0 defeat to West Ham United on Saturday.

The Kenyan sprint king  took to social media to remind his fans of the importance of loyalty, drawing inspiration from Arsenal’s die-hard supporters who have stood by the club during their ups and downs.

"Victoria Concordia Crescit (Victory and Concord Grow)," Omanyala posted in Latin after the loss.

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Arsenal’s title hopes suffered a massive dent at the Emirates Stadium when Jarrod Bowen’s 44th-minute header secured a stunning win for West Ham, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side reeling. 

The Gunners, without several key attacking players, lacked cutting edge and managed just two shots on target. 

The situation worsened when substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card in the 70th minute for bringing down Mohammed Kudus.

The defeat marked Arsenal’s first home league loss of the season and left them second in the table with 53 points from 26 matches, now trailing leaders Liverpool by eight points. 

The pressure intensifies as Jurgen Klopp’s side faces reigning champions Manchester City in a title-defining showdown on Sunday.

Omanyala’s call for unwavering support mirrors the mindset he has adopted in his sprinting career, where perseverance has been key to his rise as Africa’s fastest man. 

The 28-year-old has endured setbacks, including injuries and disqualifications, but has always bounced back stronger.

Just like Arsenal fans, who have waited nearly two decades for another Premier League title, Omanyala believes in the power of resilience. 

His words serve as motivation, not just for his own supporters but also for Arsenal fans who have endured heartbreaks, near-misses and rebuilding phases under Arteta.

Despite the disappointment, Arsenal’s faithful will be hoping their team can recover and mount a late-season charge. 

Likewise, Omanyala’s message suggests that he remains confident in his own journey, regardless of the challenges he faces.