Introducing Spike Lee's Who are ya?
Legendary director and gooner Spike Lee links up with Thierry Henry at a packed North London pub – full of Arsenal legends, super supporters, and cult British talent – to turn a noisy “Air-who?” debate into a fast, funny lesson in how money really moves around the modern game with Airwallex.
Football finance, explained in the pub
"Who are ya?" is a Spike Lee short film set in The King Henry – a north London pub – where Arsenal icons, actors and everyday supporters cram around the bar to argue about football, fintech, and everything in between. Between the chants and one‑liners, the film sneaks in the real story: Airwallex is the AI‑native, unified financial platform moving money for global businesses as smoothly as Arsenal moves the ball.
The DNA of pioneers: always forward. Always 'what next?'
Arsenal has never been content to stand still. From the first floodlights to an unbeaten league season, the club has always looked for what’s next.
Airwallex does the same for global business banking, building the financial infrastructure that lets brands with worldwide followings – like Arsenal – operate like true locals everywhere they show up.
Air–who? Global finance built to move at the speed of the game.
The running joke of the film is simple: No one in the pub can quite explain Airwallex – until they can’t stop talking about it.
Outside the pub, it’s not that different. In football and in business, we’ve spent too long accepting the “cost of doing business” – especially on the international stage. It was seen as an inevitability. A necessary tax. A pain to accommodate.
We don’t believe that a brand like Arsenal – or any brand – should be penalised for its global appeal or burdened by expensive, outdated financial systems. Airwallex was founded to challenge the institutions that profit from friction, providing the infrastructure that allows the club to operate globally without being held back by legacy fees.
By removing these borders, we give the global supporterbase the ability to pay in their local currency – making the Arsenal brand feel like home, no matter where you are or how you experience the game.
countries where you can collect funds like a local
countries to which you can make local transfers
global payments processed annually
countries from which you can accept payments
Frequently asked questions
What is the Arsenal pub advert?
"The Pub" is a short film created by Airwallex and Arsenal Football Club, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee.
Set in a packed north London pub on matchday, it features Arsenal legends, current players, and global celebrities having passionate conversations about financial infrastructure — hidden fees, multi-currency accounts, cross-border payments — with the same intensity they'd normally reserve for the title race.
It launched in April 2026, timed to the Arsenal vs Newcastle match at Emirates Stadium. The film is part of "What Next?", the creative platform behind the Airwallex x Arsenal partnership.
Who directed the Arsenal pub ad?
The film was directed by Spike Lee, the legendary filmmaker behind BlacKkKlansman, Inside Man, Do the Right Thing, and Malcolm X.
Is Thierry Henry in the Arsenal Airwallex advert?
Yes. Thierry Henry, Arsenal's all-time record goalscorer and club legend, appears in the film alongside other Arsenal icons and global talent.
Who is in the Arsenal pub ad?
The full cast includes:
Spike Lee — Director and cast member
Thierry Henry — Arsenal legend
Aaron Pierre — Actor (Rebel Ridge, Mufasa: The Lion King)
Martin Keown — Arsenal Invincibles legend
Jasmine Jobson — Actress (Top Boy)
Nick Moran — Actor (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels)
Rachel Yankey — Arsenal Women legend and England international
Current Arsenal players Gabriel Magalhães, Viktor Gyökeres, and Kai Havertz also feature.
Where can I watch the Arsenal pub advert?
The film is available on:
It also aired on Sky Sports UK and StarHub (Singapore) during live Arsenal matches.
Why is a fintech company making an ad with Arsenal and Spike Lee?
Airwallex is Arsenal's Official Finance Software Partner — it's a genuine working relationship, not just a sponsorship.
Airwallex powers Arsenal's hospitality payment infrastructure, enabling supporters worldwide to book premium packages using local payment methods and currencies.
The partnership reflects a shared belief in challenging outdated systems, and "The Pub" brings that story to life through culture and entertainment rather than a traditional corporate ad.
How is Airwallex working with Arsenal?
Airwallex is the Official Finance Software Partner of Arsenal, providing the digital payment tools and global financial infrastructure needed to support the club’s international growth and enhance the supporter experience through seamless global commerce.
How can Airwallex help my business?
Airwallex is a leading global financial platform for modern businesses, offering trusted solutions to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spend management to embedded finance. With our proprietary infrastructure, Airwallex takes the friction out of global payments and financial operations, empowering businesses of all sizes to unlock new opportunities and grow beyond borders. Proudly founded in Melbourne, Airwallex supports over 200,000 businesses globally and is trusted by brands such as Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more.