From Highbury to Emirates

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger poses with fight attendents from Emirates Airlines in front of Arsenal's new stadium in London on October 5. Arsenal's new 60,000-seater ground at Ashburton Grove, which is scheduled to open for the 2006-07 season, will be known as the Emirates Stadium for the next 15 years after they agreed a 100 million pound deal with Emirates Airlines. The Gunners have been at their Highbury ground, which now has a capacity of only 38,500, since 1913. PHOTO: AFP

Arsenal's new 60,000-seater ground at Ashburton Grove which is scheduled to open for the 2006-07 season will be known as the Emirates Stadium for the next 15 years after they agreed a 100 million pound deal with Emirates Airlines.

The company will also be the Gunners' shirt sponsor for eight years starting in the 2006-07 Premiership season when the English champions start life at their new 400 million pound ground.

The Gunners have been at their Highbury ground, which now has a capacity of only 38,500, since 1913.

The agreement was signed Tuesday at Highbury by Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood and Maurice Flanagan, Emirates vice-chairman and group president.

Keith Edelman, managing director of Arsenal, said: "The sheer size and scale of this deal is an amazing opportunity for Arsenal. We are delighted to have Emirates as our partner and sponsor."

Emirates are currently shirt sponsors of Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea, but that deal expires at the end of the current season.

Emirates Airlines chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum hopes the tie-up will boost the popularity of the sport in the United Arab Emirates still further.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sponsor such a major new stadium and club, and represents a win-win partnership for both Emirates and Arsenal," Sheikh Ahmed said.

Emirates also sponsor match referees at Premiership and Football League level through an agreement with the Professional Game Match Official Limited (PGMOL) which runs until 2007.