Arsenal announce plans to stage more women’s fixtures at The Emirates | OneFootball

Arsenal have increased their support for the growth of their women’s team with a commitment to stage at least six matches at The Emirates Stadium next season.

The Gunners announced the news via an update on their official website this afternoon. The move will see Arsenal play at least three of their 11 Barclays FA Women’s Super League home matches in N7 while all of their UEFA Women’s Champions League group games will be held at The Emirates Stadium subject to their qualification.

This season saw Arsenal’s women’s team run out at the club’s traditional home on more occasions than in any previous season. The Gunners played four matches at The Emirates Stadium, two in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and two in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Around 40,000 fans are thought to have attended those games.

Head coach Jonas Eidevall has recently stressed the importance of Arsenal Women playing at The Emirates Stadium regularly and the club have given the team their backing by making the commitment to host more matches there next season.

Speaking following the announcement, Eidevall said “On behalf of the whole team at Arsenal Women, I would like to thank all our fans for their support during the 2021/2022 season. The backing we received both at Meadow Park and Emirates Stadium was unbelievable. Whether you sit in the stands or are playing in the match, we are all part of one team – one family. That’s what makes this club so special.

“It’s wonderful news that we will be returning to Emirates Stadium for more games next year and we can’t wait to see our fans there and at Meadow Park very soon.”

The decision to play more matches at The Emirates Stadium also aligns with The Football Association’s strategy for the professional game which includes staging more high-profile games in men’s stadiums.