Arsenal home rejig plans despite fiscal drain

Article posted by Coliseum, February 24^th, 2022

Image: Emirates Stadium

The Premier League club Arsenal F.C.’s (UK) home pitch – Emirates Stadium – is reportedly set to undergo a multimillion pound refurbishment. It is a different matter that the club’s coffers are running bone-dry.

‘The Sun’ stated that ‘the Gunners’ moved to their 60,000-seater home from Highbury in North London back in 2006 but it is now in need of a touch-up due to the general wear and tear.

The Arsenal Football Club is a professional football club based in Islington, London, England (UK). Arsenal plays in the Premier League, the top flight of English football.

The Emirates Stadium is a football stadium in Holloway, London, England (UK), and the home of Arsenal F.C. With a capacity of 60,260 it is the fourth-largest football stadium in England after the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium, the 76,000-capacity Old Trafford and the 62,850-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

‘The Sun’ further stated that talks are continuing for the renovation of the big screen system inside the ground, with repairs to the roof and upgrading turnstile readers also on the agenda.

Arsenal’s Chief Executive Vinai Venkatesham also revealed to supporter groups recently that they are looking at replacing the crests and banners.

The investment at the Emirates Stadium comes despite ‘the Gunners’ ongoing financial struggles as they prepare to reveal more heavy losses.

Arsenal is due to publish their latest financial accounts for last season and is expected to reveal a large loss following fans being unable to attend matchups due to coronavirus regulations as the United Kingdom has been hugely at the receiving end of the fatal virus.

Boss Mikel Arteta has been allowed to fork out over £140 million on new players over the past year.

However, Joe Willock’s £25m transfer to the Premier League club Newcastle United F.C. was their only major sale as they also terminated two big contracts.

Both German soccer player Mesut Özil, in January 2021, and then Gabonese soccer player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s deals have been ripped up with both allowed to leave for nothing.

They also missed out on the financial windfall of European football after their eighth-place finish in the Premier League last term.

However, the financial impact of the stadium renovation is not expected to stop Arteta from being able to strengthen his squad further ahead of next season.

Remarked Arteta, “The financial position is going to be determined by how good we are, with the team performances, where we finish. Obviously that will help our sponsorship, our marketing, and our ticketing sales. It’s just a ball that rolls constantly.”

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at www.coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.