Arsenal and Manchester City wish India 'Happy Diwali'

Dubai: Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger said he’s an admirer of Indian culture ahead of Diwali this week, the five-day Hindu ‘festival of lights’.

Speaking to Arsenal Player, the North London club’s online video service, the Frenchman credited the peaceful principles of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the country’s independence movement who sought non-violent civil disobedience against British rule.

“I am an admirer of Indian culture because, historically, through [Mahatma] Gandhi, when you are a young boy you learn about [his non-violence principles] and it has a special meaning to you,” said Wenger.

“When you are a very young boy, you think you have to fight violence with violence and you never forget about a guy who gives you that [peaceful] example.

“It makes you curious about Indian culture as well because they have their special culture with the different strands in society. It’s a very interesting one.”

Wenger also credited the “hard working” Indian community in England too.

“When you look here, there is a very big Indian community in England and they are all hard-working people. All of them are doing very well in society so you always respect that when you know that. Hard work is an essential quality in every society. That provokes a big respect.”

In addition to Wenger’s comments on Indian culture Arsenal Media also produced a video of Gunners stars Laurent Koscielny, Santi Carzola, David Ospina and Joel Campbell lighting diyas, traditional clay lamps, and wishing fans a ‘Happy Diwali’. Mesut Ozil also appeared in the video, which was uploaded onto the club’s official Facebook.com page, writing the words ‘Happy Diwali’ with a sparkler.

Manchester City also joined in with their own Diwali message.

See them both here: