Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal have resisted the temptation to follow Tottenham’s lead and have decided against a huge expansion of the Emirates Stadium.
There had been talk of the Gunners increasing the capacity from around 60,000 to as much as 80,000 to make their ground the biggest in London. However, that plan has been shelved now for a number of reasons.
One of the main ones is Mikel Arteta. The Arsenal manager did not want his side to play somewhere else for a year or two while the new stadium was being constructed. He feared that would hurt the stability Arsenal have finally found.
There are also major logistical and financial problems. The area around the Emirates is already extremely busy on matchdays, while expanding the stadium would mean dealing with local restrictions and the complicated infrastructure around the ground. It would be a huge project, and the costs could quickly get out of control.
Instead, Arsenal are going to focus on improving the stadium they already have and finding new ways to make more money from it.
Statue of Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry Unveiled outside the Emirates Stadium
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal’s four-point plan to improve the Emirates Stadium after shelving 80,000-seater dream
Arsenal have improved hospitality, food and drink
Arsenal cannot keep adding thousands of seats, so one of the easiest ways to increase matchday revenue is to make more money from the seats they already have. That means improving the hospitality areas at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have already started working with Legends Global, who are now responsible for the food, drink and hospitality experience inside the stadium.
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Arsenal have also introduced a new matchday food and drink experience called 1886 by Arsenal. There are new menus, more local food options, self-pour drinks and faster ways of buying food and drink around the stadium. There are also new concessions using technology to make the process quicker.
The idea is simple: Give supporters and corporate guests a better experience while also making more money from them.
Arsenal are expanding their safe standing capacity
Arsenal are also making changes to the way supporters experience matches.
Safe standing has already been introduced at the Clock End this season, with more areas set to follow. The North Bank is expected to get safe standing next term.
This gives Arsenal another way to improve the atmosphere inside the Emirates without increasing the overall stadium capacity.
It is also something plenty of Arsenal fans have wanted for a long, long time, and they are finally set to get their wish.
Arsenal will finally fix their 5G problem
Another big part of Arsenal’s plan is improving the mobile network inside the Emirates.
How many times have you gone to the stadium and struggled to send a text, make a call or even change your Fantasy Premier League team? Arsenal’s home has had problems with mobile connectivity forever, and the club are now finally working on improving the 5G network.
The aim is to make it easier for supporters to use their phones while they are at the game. That could also help with things like ordering food, buying merchandise and using Arsenal’s apps.
It may not sound like the biggest change, but better connectivity could make a big difference when 60,000 people are inside the stadium.
Arsenal want to improve the retail experience
Arsenal are also looking at their retail operation at the Emirates. There are already tens of thousands of supporters coming to the stadium every matchday, so the club want to make the most of that.
Better shops, better products and a better overall experience could help Arsenal bring in more money from supporters while they are at the stadium.
It is another way of increasing matchday revenue without having to build more seats.
No new stadium but Arsenal have chosen a smarter route
Arsenal may not be turning the Emirates into an 80,000-seater anytime soon, but the Kroenkes clearly have a different, smarter plan.
Instead of spending huge amounts of money on a major expansion, Arsenal want to get more out of the stadium they already have.
Better hospitality, improved food and drink, safe standing, better connectivity and a stronger retail experience can all help the club increase their matchday revenue.
It may not be as exciting as an 80,000-seat Emirates, but for Arsenal, it is definitely the smarter, more stable and cost-effective option right now.
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
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Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
PL manager Mount Rushmore
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