Arsene Wenger rules out Tottenham Hotspur ground share

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 21 January 2016

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rules out the possibility of sharing the Emirates Stadium with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur while the latter's new ground is built.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has ruled out the possibility of sharing the Emirates Stadium with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs are expected to need a temporary new home for the 2017-18 season while their new stadium next to White Hart Lane is being completed, with Wembley and MK Dons touted as potential destinations.

However, Wenger does not expect the Emirates to join that shortlist, insisting that the club does not need to enter a ground-share deal.

When asked whether Spurs could end up at the Emirates, Wenger told reporters: "Not really. We suffered a lot to build this stadium and had to be very tight financially to pay it back. I don't know, but I don't feel it is in our plans to do it.

"We don't need it and we have not been approached for it as well. It's a board decision, not mine."

Wembley is also an option for Chelsea when they redevelop Stamford Bridge, but Wenger warned both of his London rivals about the risks of such a move having won just twice in a two-year spell when the Gunners played their Champions League home games at the old Wembley Stadium.

"It was a nightmare. In hindsight it was the wrong decision. At the time at Highbury we had to cut 5,000 seats. We decided to go to Wembley, but we didn't feel at home," he added.

"The pitch was bigger, the ground was different and for the English players it was something completely unusual. We were used at Highbury to a tight pitch and unfortunately we were playing against Dynamo Kiev, who were running everywhere on a very big pitch. It was a disadvantage for sure."

Arsenal, who currently sit top of the Premier League table, host Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday.