Martin Keown, former Arsenal FC defender, believes Arsenal FC should win 2-3 more Premier League titles before expanding Emirates Stadium.

Earlier reports indicated that Arsenal FC had considered increasing the stadium's capacity to 80,000 seats. Emirates Stadium, which opened in 2006, currently holds a maximum of 60,704 spectators on matchdays, making it the seventh-largest football stadium in England. The original plan was for the expanded Emirates Stadium to rival only Wembley Stadium in capacity.

During the renovation period, Arsenal FC had planned to temporarily relocate home matches to Wembley Stadium. The club is now believed to be focusing on minor improvements to Emirates Stadium instead.

Keown on Arsenal FC's stadium plans

Keown addressed the news on Monday during an appearance on talkSPORT's "White & Jordan" show, saying: "The issue is, if you're going to expand the stadium now, you need to make sure you've won 2-3 more Premier League titles first, and then seriously consider expanding capacity."

"The intensity, atmosphere, unity, and spirit that fans feel when they go there now have remained almost unchanged for nearly 20 years."

"Of course, the club will continue to improve various facilities around the stadium with upgrades and innovations to provide a better experience for fans."

"But I think expanding the stadium right now could be detrimental to the atmosphere, that special atmosphere, and everything that has been built."

"It was once described as the Promised Land, and we finally reached it, and Arsenal FC won Premier League titles as well."

"If the club continues to grow, there are already 110,000 fans waiting for season tickets. Too many people want to come to Arsenal FC."

"Perhaps the only thing Arsène Wenger underestimated was how great this club would become when stadium capacity is limited to 60,000 seats."

"The stadium structure makes expansion difficult, but not impossible—just extremely expensive."

"So at this stage of the club's future development, I understand this decision. Given the team's success on the pitch, the last time Arsenal FC was this size, we had to move to another stadium."

Arsenal FC ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title last season, finishing seven points clear of second place. This title was also Arsenal FC's first major trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020.

Arteta's side narrowly missed their first Champions League crown, losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the final.

The club will play at Wembley

This will not be the first time Arsenal FC has temporarily relocated to Wembley. The Gunners previously played home Champions League matches at the old Wembley Stadium between 1998 and 2000 due to reduced capacity at Highbury following the installation of additional advertising boards.

However, Arsenal FC won only 2 of 6 matches during their brief spell at Wembley, with Wenger's team being eliminated from the group stage for two consecutive seasons.

Tottenham Hotspur used the new Wembley Stadium as their home ground from its opening in 2007. Spurs also played home matches at Wembley between 2017 and 2019 while their new stadium was under construction.

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