Jump directly to the content
NEW DIGS

7 alternative reasons why everyone will remember Arsenal’s move to the Emirates

Moving to the Emirates was supposed to catapult Arsenal to the next level, but what will the move really be remembered for?

Now it is time to say bon voyage to Arsene Wenger.

The legendary Frenchman has graced the Arsenal touchline for over 20 years but the game against Burnley will be his last home match as Gunners boss.

It’s an emotional time.

It wasn’t supposed to end like this

Getty Images - Getty
8
It wasn’t supposed to end like this

Wenger masterminded Arsenal’s move from Highbury to the Emirates, not only to upgrade the club’s stadium but to help the club keep up with the influx of petro-dollars to the English game.

But the move to the new stadium ironically brought on Wenger’s demise as Arsenal FanTV became a thing and he never got anywhere near his rivals.

In fact, the Emirates is now one of the sticks used to beat Wenger for his failures in the past decade.

Harsh.


CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets have this brilliant offer when you sign up and bet a fiver


Sometimes pictures need no words

Getty - Contributor
8
Sometimes pictures need no words

However, we’re here to remember the great times, the good times and some of the not so good time at the new stadium.

Welcome to the 7 alternative reason everyone will remember Arsenal’s move to the Emirates.

Terrible results on the first day of the season and all hope going out of the window

Ozil could not handle a 16-year-old Oxford

PA:Empics Sport
8
Ozil could not handle a 16-year-old Oxford

Ah, the first day of the season, everyone is full of hope of what the year could bring.

And then Arsenal fans remember they are starting theirs at the Emirates.

In the past 12 years Arsenal have won just two of their nine opening day fixtures at the Emirates and have had some awful results.

No more so than home defeats to Aston Villa in 2013 and who could forget Reece oxford inspiring West Ham in 2015?

ArsenalFanTV becoming the best parody in football

They’ve been the bain of Wenger’s life I’m sure

8
They’ve been the bain of Wenger’s life I’m sure

If there was a way to find all the worst opinions at your football club, getting them on YouTube straight after the game is the perfect solution.

Since Arsenal moved to their new stadium, the rants of Robbo, Claude and Troopz have become synonymous with the post-mortem of games.

There have been some classic moments, but it has also become the biggest parody of itself in football.

Ah well, you won’t hear ‘Wenger out, blud!’ anymore.

*That* goal against Norwich

OK, it hasn’t been all bad at the Emirates, the Premier League has been treated to some of the finest Wengerball on the new silky baize.

Wenger’s football philosophy was expertly demonstrated against Norwich as Jack Wilshere hit the goal of the season in 2013/14.

The fans were left drooling as Wilshere and Olivier Giroud combined with the sweetest of first touch passing and flicks to scythe through the Canaries’ backline and tap home.

We could watch that goal on repeat. Forever.

Mesut Ozil actually playing football

You know when you see this your maximum two passes away from a goal

Rex Features
8
You know when you see this your maximum two passes away from a goal

Ever since the German arrived for a club record fee he has split opinion like no other player.

Is a lazy, luxury player that only turns up against the small teams at home?

Well the German is constantly accused of going missing in big away games, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, you name it.

But he has been electric at home and we have seen glimpses of what his wand of a left foot can do.

Like when he created 12 chances against Sunderland last May – the most in a single game since records began.


PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win £10k!


The joyous Emirates Cup

Not the last time we will see Naby Keita in England

Getty - Contributor
8
Not the last time we will see Naby Keita in England

The annual pre-season tournament held at the Emirates is always one of the highlights of the summer.

After 10 years of the friendly cup we have seen a selection of the classiest teams in Europe and the world face-off in July.

The likes of which include Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus, Napoli, AC Milan, Monaco, RP Leipzig and Boca Juniors – it’s been a joy to watch.

Arsenal fans have enjoyed it too, with the Gunners having claimed the trophy a record five times.

Fill up that trophy cabinet lads.

The Prawn Sandwich Brigade

Diego Simeone getting in amongst the top boys at the Emirates

Getty - Contributor
8
Diego Simeone getting in amongst the top boys at the Emirates

One of the key revenue generators at the Emirates was the amount of corporate and luxury boxes in the stadium.

However, after Roy Keane’s famous comment about the United fans back in 2000, it has become a term associated all too often with the supporters inside the Emirates.

There is a section of Arsenal faithful but with so many football tourists going to the stadium, the Emirates has always lacked the crackle we see at Old Trafford, Anfield or Goodison Park.

Every other London team upgrading their stadium

Spurs will have their own mega-stadium for next season

Getty - Contributor
8
Spurs will have their own mega-stadium for next season

Arsenal pioneered the idea of a new mega-stadium in London.

But the Emirates hasn’t just benefitted the Gunners, it has indirectly inspired the other big London teams to upgrade their grounds.

Which means in the coming years all Londoners can be proud of brand, spanking new stadiums for Spurs and Chelsea too.

A legacy which transcends Arsenal itself.