Arsene Wenger managed Arsenal for 22 years and is well aware of the ups and downs the club has endured
Arsenal are pursuing their first Premier League crown in nearly 22 years but former boss Arsene Wenger has previously identified what he believes contributed to difficulties at the club following their last success. The Frenchman maintained that the Gunners ‘left their soul’ behind at Highbury when they relocated to the Emirates – despite the new ground being situated merely 500 metres away.
Highbury had served as Arsenal’s home for 93 years before its conversion into residential apartments, though the distinctive art‐deco East Stand facade remains intact.
It was at that venue where Arsenal claimed three Premier League championships and consistently competed at the summit, only to plateau after the relocation.
Wenger, who oversaw the club for 22 years, acknowledged the move carried consequences.
“I moved from Highbury, which was similar to Anfield, but there was a soul in the stadium,” the former manager told beIN Sports back in 2020.
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“We built a new stadium but we never found our soul – we left our soul at Highbury. We could never recreate it for security reasons.
“The distance from the pitch to the stand had to be bigger as we needed ambulances to come in.”
“The inclination of the stands had to be smaller all those things together that we didn’t find to recreate the atmosphere.”
Arsenal’s title challenge has suffered a significant blow despite a promising campaign pushing Manchester City all the way.
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Mikel Arteta’s side were edged out 2-1 at the Etihad on Sunday, leaving them with a slender three-point advantage at the summit.
City return to action on Wednesday evening when they travel to Burnley, and victory at Turf Moor would see Pep Guardiola’s men draw level on points with the Gunners.
With an additional fixture against Crystal Palace still in hand, the reigning champions could potentially move three points clear at the top of the table.
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