European Final

[tenementfunster5]

Edelman - We can host major European final
By Chris Harris

Keith Edelman expects Emirates Stadium to become a regular host for prestigious international matches - and even a major European final.

Brazil have already played two friendlies at Arsenal's new home and the Club's Managing Director believes that the success of those fixtures against Argentina and Portugal proves Emirates Stadium can also house pre-season tournaments and even a Champions League showpiece.

"We are looking at those kind of options," Edelman told Arsenal.com. "It may not be this year but hopefully in future years we will be holding more competitions and more matches.

"We will think about putting our name forward for a European final. Now we're confident we can operate it, everyone can see we've held the finest international matches that you can see in the stadium, and I think it's a great product so yes we will review that course of action.

"I think we'll see more international friendlies too. It's a fantastic venue, we've got a good operation here both in terms of running the stadium and in terms of selling tickets and filling the stadium. Both [Brazil] games sold out and that's good for Arsenal because we make revenue from that.

"We have a fine facility which was expensive to build and the money we generate from that can be recycled back into the squad and also in terms of holding ticket prices."

[gooner.ed]

stadium might be eligile for a uefa cup final, but the surrounding area could not accomodate all the stuff that is needed for a Champs League final - and that is the reason it is not ranked as a 5 star stadium. Only Wembley in London could ever be 5 star (unless they make the east London Olympic Stadium into a footie ground after - enough room there). edelman is a little ignorant of all the uefa conditions for hosting euro finals. inside the ground, no probs. it's the space outside - parking arrangements, locations for hospitality tents - that scuppers a CL final. Hate to say it but OT is a 5 star stadium as well

[MK Gould]

Have you ever sat in the away end at OT? Its not my idea of 5 star. Its a 50,000 capacity stadium where they've managed to squeeze in 75,000 seats! Point taken though about AG not being 5 star on the outside. Do you think we'll host FAC semi final this year?