Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has confirmed that the club board has finally sanctioned the next step of the ‘Arsenalisation’ of the Emirates stadium by revealing that Highbury’s famous clock will be returned to inside the ground and that former stand names, including the North Bank, will also be reintroduced.
Arsenal moved to their new stadium in 2006 after 93 years at Highbury. Despite winning awards and being hailed as one of the best football arenas in Europe, the state-of-the-art structure has often been criticised by supporters for lacking character.
The famous Arsenal timepiece is currently attached to the outside of the stadium facing the south bridge exit but will finally be incorporated into the stunning arena after calls from fans for it to be returned to its rightful place. The Gunners have already introduced murals on the external perimeter of the ground featuring legendary players and have also decorated internal areas with motifs, pictures, crests and other Arsenal paraphernalia as they look to create a more homely environment.
"We want to bring the clock back into the stadium and we will move back to having a Clock End, North Bank and East and West Stands,” Gazidis told the Daily Telegraph.
"We want to make sure it is the best stadium in the world, five, 10 and 15 years from now.
"We want to make it not just a technological marvel but a place that our fans can feel the traditions of the club."