Former Arsenal defender and fan favourite Nigel Winterburn has claimed that the Gunners’ ability to challenge their rivals to silverware has gone backwards since they made the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.
The Emirates officially became Arsenal’s new stadium back in 2006, with the original aim being that the extra revenue generated by the increased capacity would allow for Arsenal to be able to compete with the very best clubs in the world. Ever since Arsenal moved to Emirates Stadium, they have seen their success dry up, and despite two FA Cups and two Community Shields, the club hasn’t challenged for the biggest prizes for some time.
Now, Sam Long of the Evening Standard, reports that Winterburn believes that the move to the Emirates was the biggest cause of the Gunners’ barren run of silverware.
The problem Arsenal had was they sold the dream of moving to the new stadium to be able to compete with the big clubs, I think what’s happened is they’ve moved backwards in terms of being able to challenge for the title.
However, Winterburn moved on to suggest that the fortunes of the club may very well turn around, assuming they buy well, and quickly in the summer.
They have to do it next season, but they have to spend money. Having worked under him, I still think he is the man to take them forward. But they’ve got to get those signings right this season and the earlier they do it the better, because then the fans will look at that and say, ‘Oh, well, okay, it looks like we do mean business this time.’
