Arsenal make decision over 'huge scale masterplan' to expand Emirates Stadium | OneFootball

Gunners are taking a different approach to the “evolution” of their north London home

Arsenal have decided against a "huge scale masterplan" to expand the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have looked into options for redeveloping their home ground over the last couple of years in order to increase its capacity.

The Emirates currently holds 60,704 supporters, putting Arsenal behind Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool in terms of stadium size.

Demand for matchday tickets is huge and Arsenal have a season-ticket waiting list that is believed to stretch over decades.

However, the club have now opted to pursue a “continued evolution” of the Emirates, rather than a significant expansion.

A big rebuilding project would likely have required Arsenal to find a temporary home elsewhere and that has been ruled out, particularly with Mikel Arteta's side eyeing a dominant era of success.

Instead of a dramatic overhaul of the Emirates, the focus will instead be on improving the matchday experience.

Home sweet home: Arsenal have played at the Emirates Stadium since 2006

Safe standing has been introduced to the Clock End and that will be expanded next season to include sections of the North Bank.

Arsenal are also committed to improving 5G mobile connectivity inside the stadium and progress on that is expected before the end of the season.

The first Arsenal Advisory Board meeting of the season took place last month between senior club leaders and supporter representatives and that vision for the stadium was shared.

Co-chair Josh Kroenke joined the meeting virtually, while chief communications officer Richard Garlick attended in person.

In a statement reflecting on the meeting, Arsenal said the club's clear priority was to "win major trophies in a financially sustainable way, with supporters at the heart of everything we do”.

The club are set to continue adding to the corporate options available to further boost matchday income.

That has included launching The Touchline package, which includes watching the warm-up from the side of the pitch and then walking across the playing surface to seats behind the Arsenal bench.

Tickets for that package for the match against Manchester City in November are £5,799 per person.

Despite the increased corporate focus, that is not expected to impact the number of general admission seats available.

"No capacity changes at the Emirates," the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) said.

"Focus will be on facilities behind the scenes. Expect more hospitality offering. Once again we secured a commitment from club that they have no current plans to move or reduce any general admission places.

"But all supporters must be vigilant to this and repeat the importance of custodianship."