<\/p>\n

One of England’s new\u00a0football cathedrals. Modern, comfortable, great sightlines, but rarely with that\u00a0atmosphere of the old Highbury.<\/p>\n

Key facts<\/h3>\n

Club: Arsenal FC | Opening: 2006 | Capacity: 60,361 seats<\/p>\n

History and description<\/h3>\n

The Emirates Stadium replaced Arsenal’s previous home Highbury<\/a>, which had become too small and lacked the possiblities for expansion being hemmed in by housing.<\/p>\n

First plans for the construction of a new stadium were made in the late 1990s, but also a move to the new Wembley Stadium<\/a> was considered.<\/p>\n

In the end a site was chosen just a few hundred yards away from Highbury, and, after a few delays, construction of the stadium started in 2004. The total project budget amounted to \u00a3390 million.<\/p>\n

The Emirates Stadium officially opened on the 23rd of July 2006. The first match was a testimonial match for Dennis Bergkamp featuring an Arsenal and Ajax side.<\/p>\n

Due to the competition of nearby Wembley Stadium, the Emirates Stadium has never hosted the English national team, however the Brazilian national team has regularly staged friendlies at the stadium.<\/p>\n

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