There’s a buzz going around Great Ormond Street hospital’s Koala ward. After the England captain, Leah Williamson, and her Arsenal teammate Steph Catley visited the previous week, rumours have been spreading that there could be some more very special guests arriving in the buildup to Christmas.
“I think there’s a little bit of a rumble,” says Danny Bell, a specialist paediatric physiotherapist in neuro-oncology who works with children recovering from brain tumours. “I can see an Arsenal shirt out there, so that might just be a very big coincidence! They may know the team involved, but I don’t think they know any individuals. So I’m really looking forward to seeing their faces as it dawns on them who is going to be here.”
Sure enough, there are gasps of disbelief when Bukayo Saka and – most aptly for this time of year – the three Gabriels (Jesus, Martinelli and Magalhães) emerge wearing bright red Arsenal Christmas jumpers and carrying red sacks stuffed full of presents. Other members of the Premier League leaders’ squad are taking advantage of their first midweek without a fixture since the end of August by visiting charities connected to the club. Eberechi Eze is pictured playing bowls with Ethan Nwaneri at the Arsenal Hub – the home of Arsenal in the Community – while Mikel Merino spars with a boxing class.
Arsenal have a long history of supporting Great Ormond Street, having helped to fund a new lung function unit, opened by Arsène Wenger in 2012. Five patients who have been receiving treatment for several years at the world-renowned children’s hospital have gathered in the large and brightly coloured physiotherapy room on the ground floor and are ready to challenge the guests to a few games, their equally starstruck parents watching on. First, the visitors from Arsenal are invited to beat the mark set by their female counterparts in sitting-down volleyball – a task that Saka in particular seems determined to achieve, judging by the way he throws himself around. The England forward was less keen to don deer’s antlers for a game of hoopla, with Martinelli and Jesus gamely stepping up.
There are no signs of the groin injury that is sidelining Magalhães as the Brazil defender takes aim, although he is spared having to go in goal for the penalty shootout that finishes the session. Simon, who is wearing a fluorescent yellow Arsenal away shirt, manages to nutmeg Saka with a spot-kick before deftly dispatching his next attempt into the corner with his other foot and performing Martinelli’s new goal celebration with a hand over one eye.
“To arrange all this for the children is unbelievable – this is something he is never going to forget,” says Simon’s mother, Fatima Allard. “Simon has been in and out of the hospital since he was born and has just had a really big operation. He is obsessed with football and he just loves being able to play sport. It is so important for his mental health.”
Depending on the severity of their illness, children are encouraged to begin two to three hours of physiotherapy a week as soon as possible after surgery. That can include opportunities to play sports such as football and tennis in the state-of-the-art gym stacked with equipment, and access to their own swimming pool.
“The biggest thing we do is push the idea that physical activity is something that young people with health conditions can and should do,” says Bell. “There’s perhaps a little bit of a stigma around a child who is ill. ‘We need to wrap them up in cotton wool and they can’t leave the hospital.’ Well, no, actually, if we just make sure that they’re OK to do that, absolutely they can go and have a kick around the park with their mates.
“We know the psychological benefits social interactions can have for these kids. So I think probably the biggest thing that I try to do is to try and foster a healthy relationship with physical activity. Because if we get that right, the child, as they grow, is going to want to do recreational activity.”
Bell cites the example of another patient, Maya, who was diagnosed with a serious brain tumour in April and has just finished her treatment. A big Arsenal supporter, sadly she misses this visit because she isn’t feeling her best but she has made significant strides in her rehabilitation by regularly swimming.
“She was a little bit apprehensive at first,” Bell says. “I remember she said: ‘I’m a bit tired today, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to do it.’ And then 45 minutes later, we said: ‘Maya, we probably have to get out now …’”
On the ward, Simon has just surprised his friend by FaceTiming them with Saka and Martinelli standing next to his bed. “Please do the celebration if you score against Everton on Saturday,” he says to the Brazilian.
“Connecting with our local community and supporters brings me so much joy and really puts things into perspective,” says Martinelli, who didn’t find the net in Arsenal’s 1-0 win but says the visit has given them motivation for the rest of the season.
“They fuel us and give us inspiration. We are the same family and spending time with supporters makes you realise how special the connection is. It’s difficult to see people going through a tough time in hospital, but hopefully our visits bring some joy. The staff here are incredible as well. They bring so much energy and positivity and make every day feel as special as they can.”