Keith Wyness lifts lid on Arsenal collapse after ‘expensive’ stadium news
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has the “vision and resources” to invest in the football side and stadium.
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 – suggested the Gunners’ push for major trophies won’t collapse even if they push ahead with a 80,000-seat expansion.
Bloomberg reported last month (15 November), Arsenal are considering expanding the Emirates Stadium from a capacity of 60,704 to 80,000.
CityAM updated last week (3 December) to reveal the Gunners have returned to architect firm Populous, who designed the ground, to explore redevelopment possibilities.
Arsenal currently have the fifth-largest stadium in the Premier League – but Man City, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Chelsea are among the sides exploring expansions.
Arsenal stadium expansion will be ‘expensive’ but a ‘wise investment’, says Wyness
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “You need to be competitive.
“Look at Everton, going up to 53,000 – that will keep them in the top ten of clubs, because everyone is moving forward.
“With Arsenal, they’ll be dropping down unless they do this.
“80,000 is the figure but it’s a landlocked piece of property – it’s going to be expensive, but I think it’s a wise investment.
“It would allow them to host Champions League finals and other major events. They’ll also look to get some multi-use in there too, I’m sure.
“With Kroenke, I think there will be a way to keep investing in the football side as well as in the stadium improvement.
“He’s got the vision and the resources. Arsenal are in a different place compared to where they were when the Emirates was built.”
In other news, Arsenal hatch Dusan Vlahovic transfer plan after talks twist.
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