A COMMUNITY football pitch minutes from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium has been refurbished as part of a drive to reduce knife crime.

Harvist Estate is one of the first places to receive investment from the Gunners as part of the club’s “No More Red” campaign.

“We believe that through sport, we have the power to change lives. Access to safe spaces to play sport enables young people to create new possibilities and to reach their potential,” Arsenal said in a statement.

Members of the council, including Islington’s mayor Troy Gallagher and council leader Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, joined “Arsenal in the Community” coaches and young footballers to open the refurbished pitch earlier this month.

Harvist Estate is the first of many places to get a facelift. The council will be working together with Arsenal and Adidas to identify more locations where old pitches can be restored – or brand-new pitches can be built.

Councillor Una O’Halloran, Islington’s community chief, said: “By investing in creating and refurbishing safe spaces to play football, like the Harvist Estate pitch, we can help empower Islington’s young people to fulfil their potential and shape their own, bright futures.”