Former Arsenal Defender Pascal Cygan Presents Historic Shirt to New York Mayor Zahraan Mamdani

Pascal Cygan, a former defender for Arsenal and French international, recently gifted one of his shirts from the club's unbeaten 2003-2004 season to New York Mayor Zahraan Mamdani. This gesture followed Mamdani's unexpected remarks during an appearance on the "Adam Friedland Podcast," where he expressed his admiration for Cygan and fellow players Marouane Chamakh and Sebastian Squillaci, stating they significantly influenced his love for Arsenal.

Mamdani's comments took many by surprise, as he noted that he thinks about these players "every morning," despite their less prominent status in the club's history compared to legends like Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.

Cygan expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, "I didn't expect someone of his stature to mention me." He appreciated the mayor's choice in highlighting players often overlooked, calling it a reflection of true loyalty and passion for the club.

"It's remarkable that someone so influential speaks of me and my teammates with such fondness. Hearing such appreciation nearly 20 years later has made me one of the happiest men," Cygan remarked.

In a gesture of gratitude, Cygan presented Mamdani with one of his original shirts from the historic unbeaten season, emphasizing that he gave the shirt "without expecting anything in return."