Ken Friar, Arsenal's life president and one of the most influential figures in the club's history, has died at the age of 92. His association with the Gunners spanned almost eight decades. Arsenal announced his death on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Known affectionately as "Mr Arsenal," Friar started at the north London club as a young messenger and rose through its administrative ranks to become club secretary and managing director. He played a major part in Arsenal's move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium, which opened in 2006.

Friar was born in Islington in August 1934 and first connected with Arsenal as a child in the years after World War II. According to reports, he caught the eye of then-manager George Allison after kicking a football under Allison's car outside Highbury. That led to a job as a matchday messenger.

He joined Arsenal's box office full-time in 1950 and moved into senior administrative roles from there. He became club secretary in 1973 and managing director in 1983. He held the managing director post for 17 years, overseeing club operations during a period of major change in English football.

One of Friar's biggest contributions was helping Arsenal leave Highbury for the Emirates. Working with fellow director Danny Fiszman, he helped oversee the planning and delivery of the stadium project, which opened in 2006.

The move gave Arsenal a larger home and new infrastructure as the club sought to stay competitive at the top level of English football. It also meant a big change for supporters, as the team left a ground closely tied to its history. Friar's work on the project was on the administrative and organizational side, away from the pitch, and it cemented his reputation as a key figure in the club's modern development.

Friar received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000 for services to football. In 2004, he was given the Freedom of the Borough of Islington, recognizing his long link with the area where he was born and where Arsenal built its historic home.

The Ken Friar Bridge, which connects Emirates Stadium with Arsenal station, carries his name. A statue of him as a young boy playing football outside Highbury marks the start of his journey with the club. He stayed on the board until 2020, when he stepped down as an executive director and was named life president.

Arsenal paid tribute to Friar's decades of service on its website. "Since our formation in 1886, there have been many inspirational individuals who have driven our club forward, but no one has had an influence on Arsenal Football Club quite like 'Mr Friar'," the club said. It added that his extraordinary life of service would form his legacy.

Arsenal players will wear black armbands in his memory during Tuesday evening's Champions League match against Lille. Further tributes are planned for the Premier League fixture against Everton on Oct. 24.

Friar saw Arsenal change across generations, from its postwar years at Highbury to its establishment at the Emirates. His career linked the club's historic identity with its modern ambitions.