STUDENTS at Hampstead School are calling for the removal of a mural of Arsenal football players in their playground.

An image of an iconic photo of players celebrating a spot-kick FA Cup triumph over Manchester United in 2005 was painted on the school office wall the following year.

The school said it was part of a student project but nine years later it is being criticised as “outdated, pointless and widely disliked”.

An anonymous post on the Hampstead School pupils’ website, Hampstead Trash, said: “Does this really need to stay? Firstly, it’s outdated because it isn’t the last trophy Arsenal have won. Secondly, all of the players in it no longer play for Arsenal. Thirdly, there is no definitive answer as to why it was put up.”

The author added that Arsenal is 4.2 miles from their school while Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea Football Club, is just 5.2 miles away and Tottenham's stadium is 6.9 miles. 

School marketing manager Margaret Woods said: “I am not a football fan but I can understand that not everyone supports Arsenal in the school. 

“That was the way it was then, and it is maybe different now. The basic point is that this is a piece of artwork done by past students that has helped to raise the environment. I would say, if the students do want it changed, they should approach the school and go through the right channels.”

Hampstead School is part of the “priority schools building programme” and in the next few months proposals for a new school building are expected to be unveiled.