Stefan Borson: Arsenal want financial boost after stadium expansion update

03/26/2025 04:00 PM

Arsenal are understood to be considering options to expand the Emirates Stadium as they look to keep pace financially with some of their fellow Premier League sides. 

The London giants, like other top-flight clubs, are taking steps to supercharge their revenues to remain competitive at the top end of the table. 

Newcastle, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton have all made moves to increase capacity in recent months and years. 

The Emirates currently holds 60,704 fans and is the fifth-biggest club stadium in England.

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider Arsenal are looking to add a third tier at the Emirates in a similar design to Barcelona's Nou Camp. 

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider the Premier League side are looking to increase their matchday revenue after considering stadium expansion plans.

Arsenal posted a record-breaking revenue in 2023-24 after their turnover surged from £466.7million to £616.6million.

The club's commercial revenue increased from £169.3million to £218.3million, while broadcast income improved from £191.2million to £262.3million and matchday rose from £102.6million to £131.7million. 

Arsenal to face challenges completing stadium expansion

Borson insisted Arsenal will face challenges expanding their stadium because it will not be a simple project.

He told Football Insider: "I guess they want more matchday revenue.

"But if you think about the quality of the seats that they’re building, there’s less incremental money generated by a London club.

"I think it’s probably less likely that people are flying in to see Arsenal games than they are flying in to see United games. Maybe that doesn’t have much logic, but that’s what my perception would be.

"But their concern is, can we build let’s say 10,000-15,000 seats, probably similar to the City equation in terms of their 10,000-15,000 new seats in the North Stand that they'll try and fill at between an £80-120 per seat index linked. 

"Clearly, that’s quite a lot of cash every game. It’s all incremental and has very little cost to it. The people come in and you’ve already got your stadium set up. You don’t need very much additional staff or operating costs to accommodate those people.

"They are very high margin that additional 10,000 people, and they’re also spending around the stadium. I think that’s what it’s about.

"But again, the challenge will be how much does it cost to put another tier or another section on that stadium?

"That does not look to be a simple project." 

Brentford braced for interest in Arsenal target Bryan Mbeumo

Football Insider revealed on 20 March Brentford are braced for interest in Arsenal target Bryan Mbeumo in the summer transfer window. 

The Cameroon international's contract expires in June 2026, but Brentford hold the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.

Newcastle and Liverpool are also keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old, who has registered 15 goals and six assists in 33 appearances this season.

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