Arsenal stadium delay

How the stadium might look

Arsenal have revealed a delay in the building of their new £400m stadium project means it will not be open for the start of the 2005-2006 season.

Financial problems appear to be the major problem with the Ashburton Grove project, but Arsenal remain confident they will secure funding for the scheme, even though costs have risen significantly since the switch from Highbury was first announced.

The project was also initially delayed by planning issues and local resident opposition.

In a statement, the club revealed: "We have experienced a number of delays in arrangements for our new stadium project in recent months across a range of issues.

"This has not been entirely unexpected given the complexity of the project, which involves not just the construction of a new stadium.

"It also involves directly-related legal, finance and property issues, transport infrastructure, relocation of existing local statutory services and businesses, provision of affordable housing and significant regeneration of the local area.

"The impact of these delays is that we will now be unable to deliver a stadium opening for the start of the 2005-06 season.

"We are actively progressing all aspects of the project and continue to be fully committed to Ashburton Grove with the objective of delivering a stadium opening at the earliest possible date."

Highbury, Arsenal's home for 90 years, has a capacity of 38,500. Ashburton Grove will offer seating for 60.000.

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