Arsenal are preparing to upgrade their London Colney training base after accepting that it has fallen behind the standard set by their rivals.
The Gunners have been at their current training ground since 1999, but in recent years the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool have either moved into a new facility or undergone major work to improve their infrastructure.
Internal acceptance of need to catch up
The Daily Mail reports that internally the north Londoners accept they need to catch up with their fellow Big Six teams and they are looking at ways they can upgrade.
Arsenal are understood to have seen a refurbishment of their first-team gym and treatment spots, whilst they have also been granted planning permission for a temporary women's gym, which is part of a more thorough development plan.
Plans for a new men's hub
The Gunners are also looking into whether they can build a new state-of-the-art men's hub which would see their facilities rival the best in Europe. If that comes to fruition, the long-term plan is for the women to eventually move into the facility that the men currently use.
It is understood that last season Arsenal were considering plans to erect stands around a pitch at London Colney, to in effect create a mini-stadium for the Under 21s and Under 19s. It is believed they had an informal talk with the local council before deciding not to seek planning permission.
The Under 21s play at the home of National League leaders Boreham Wood, but their Meadow Park ground is ultimately more of a drive for a lot of players and their families.
Commercial backing and wider context
In February 2024, Arsenal made Dubai-based real estate developers Sobha Realty their first training ground sponsor and the revenue from that has aided them commercially, whilst it will also have raised funds that can help with their planned improvements.
A bulk of the Big Six have also made moves to improve their stadiums. Anfield and the Etihad have enjoyed notable upgrades whilst Tottenham opened their state-of-the-art ground in 2019. The Emirates was purpose built with Arsenal moving there in 2006.
