02/03/2026
“This is the first proper picture of us together.”
That was Westy’s reaction when he saw the photo of us shared on the Arsenal website, and honestly, it hit different.
We’ve been friends for most of our lives, yet when you’re deep in it, you forget to pause and capture the moments.
That’s also why we’ve been quiet on here. We’ve been heads-down, focused on doing the work, but we haven’t been sharing the journey. That changes now.
Being invited to be part of the No More Red program with Arsenal & Addias means so much to us. We remember Holloway before the Emirates. Things were very different. Abandoned buildings were our playgrounds and I’m not even exaggerating.
I still remember the day I stopped my bike to photograph the change coming to our doorstep. I was so excited. So proud that we were finally getting something nice.
To us, No More Red is vital community work focused on helping young people experience their world safely. An initiative I wish our generation had. The same reason we created Gain Ctrl, because it’s what we wanted growing up. (Shoutout Westy’s old home studio setup 😂 mine wasn’t much better)
So many of our old members have reached out with incredible messages, and there’s one word they all used when describing what Gain Ctrl was to them: home.
And that is what Emirates has always been for us. A part of home to be proud of. Something that brings hope.
He’s to community, togetherness and home. North London Forever.
Sem - Gain Ctrl Founder
