Arsenal fans to protest after new development? 'This isn't a good look...'

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Arsenal have confirmed their stance as clubs across the Premier League wrestle with the conundrum of freezing or increasing ticket prices.

The London club have confirmed season ticket prices will rise by between 3-5 per cent next season due to rising costs at the Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal Supporters' Trust have insisted they are "extremely disappointed" by the ticket price hike after calling for a price freeze – which has been implemented at Liverpool, Brentford and West Ham.

Wage costs for Arsenal have increased 40% in the past year as the Gunners look to secure an elusive Premier League title and take big steps in the Champions League.

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on potential fan backlash following the ticket hike.

Arsenal fans won’t be in ‘uproar’ after ticket price increase

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness has suggested Arsenal fans are unlikely to be too unhappy – provided they see substantial investment in the squad this summer.

The Gunners are set to fall short in the Premier League title race with their only hope of silverware coming in the Champions League – where they will face Real Madrid in the quarter-final.

Wyness suggested the fans may be more concerned about the signing of a new striker than ticket prices.

He told Football Insider's Inside Track podcast: "There's two schools of thought, and I've always thought that increasing prices a small amount each year is the best way.

"Otherwise you're waiting a couple of years and you then have to do a 10% increase.

"I think the Arsenal increase is between 3-5% and it's not across the whole ground.

"We know Arsenal are looking to spend and they're going to have to spend this summer. We know Kroenke will do it.

"I'm sure the fans are looking for the club to bring the right striker in this summer, for example.

"They'll push the boat out, so it's not like the Arsenal fans are getting nothing for the increase.

"It's not a good look but I don't think there will be an uproar about it.

"They'll see the squad, which is already very close, being pushed over the edge and towards silverware."

Arsenal open preliminary Martinez talks

Football Insider revealed last week (7 March) that Arsenal have turned attention to Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez.

Berta, who is set to be named as Arsenal's new sporting director, is a big admirer of Martinez, 27, having previously tried to sign him while he was in charge of recruitment at Atletico Madrid.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, who are both out for the season through injury, have led the line for Mikel Arteta's side but the club's supporters have demanded an upgrade.

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