Former Arsenal star shows special affection for Malaysia

Ex-Arsenal youth player Joshua Robinson attracted attention by displaying the flags of Jamaica, England, and Malaysia on his personal profile, revealing his maternal heritage and the possibility of representing Malaysia.

The Malaysian football fan community is abuzz with the news Joshua Robinson, a former Arsenal youth player, unexpectedly placed the flags of Jamaica, England, and Malaysia in his Instagram bio. This small but meaningful gesture quickly drew attention as it affirmed Robinson’s multicultural roots, including Malaysian blood from his mother.

Joshua Robinson was born and raised in Leyton, East London (England). In an interview featured on Arsenal’s official website, he revealed: “My father is Jamaican, and my mother has Malaysian and English heritage.” This statement, along with the Malaysian flag icon on his profile, has led fans to believe that the young player could be a “hidden gem” for the Malaysian national team in the future.

The image of the three flags—Jamaica, England, and Malaysia—side by side is seen by many as a proud declaration of Robinson’s identity. Although he has never played for any national team, he is keeping open the option to choose his sporting nationality later on. For the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), this could be a rare chance to recruit a young talent trained in Europe.

Robinson was once a product of Arsenal’s academy, where he was highly regarded for his skillful technique and versatility on the field. After leaving the “Gunners” in 2023, he joined Wigan Athletic at the start of 2025, and has been a free agent since September that year. Although his next club has not been decided, Joshua Robinson’s name has suddenly become popular in Malaysia thanks to this simple yet meaningful act.

On forums and social media, many fans in Malaysia express hope that Robinson will “return to his motherland” to represent Harimau Malaya. Although there is no official confirmation from FAM, the small symbol of the Malaysian flag alone has sparked great pride and high expectations among the country’s supporters.

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