Arsenal could now bank ‘ridiculous’ Emirates Stadium windfall – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has tipped Arsenal to “refresh” the Emirates Stadium – nearly 20 years after it opened.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted a redevelopment would help the Gunners bank “ridiculous” revenues through hospitality and premium seating.
The Emirates Stadium opened in 2006 and holds 60,704 fans – with capacity yet to be improved.
In a recent interview with ESPN (30 July), club co-chair Josh Kroenke revealed initial “internal conversations” have taken place about upgrading Arsenal’s home.
The Gunners have around 100,000 fans on the waiting list for a season ticket – a figure which has sky-rocketed with their recent success in the Premier League.
London clubs like Tottenham and Fulham have emerged as leaders for hospitality spaces in the Premier League.
Arsenal told to redevelop Emirates Stadium
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The key thing for Arsenal is the Emirates Stadium, they’ve paid down the majority of the debt has been paid down.
“The commercial revenue had been going back into paying that debt off.
“Arsenal are very lucky they managed to build the stadium at a time when the debt rates were good, it’s proved to be a good decision.
“Now they’ve got room and leeway, and the squad and championships are what is sitting in Kroenke’s mind now more than ever.
“It’s clear he’s giving the backing to Arteta, and they’re showing signs of success on the pitch.
“But they need to keep an eye on the age of the Emirates Stadium, already.
“They need to make sure it’s refreshed and the revenue streams keep going.
“The beauty of being a London club is that you can get ridiculous prices for your hospitality because the market is there.”
In other news, Arsenal open talks over defender deal.
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