Arsenal Highbury Stadium

Highbury Arsenal Stadium Painting – Alan Reed

On the 7th May 2006 Arsenal played their last Premier League match at Highbury. I was there, sketchbook in hand, to capture the fans leaving the stadium for the last time.

This is a small studio watercolour painted in preparation for the larger watercolour which is available as a limited edition print.

Arsenal moved from Highbury to Emirates Stadium primarily to increase the stadium capacity which would enable the club to generate more income from match days.

The club was unable to expand Highbury due to planning permission issues, and the old stadium’s 38,500 capacity was insufficient to meet financial goals or support ambitions to compete at a higher level. 

Highbury Square

Highbury has since been converted to a luxury apartment complex called Highbury Square.

The former pitch is now a communal garden, and the historic East and West stands have been converted into flats, preserving elements of the original design.