Arsenal Training Centre
A view of a pitch from the Watling Chase Timberland Trail public footpath.
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| Location |
London Colney Hertfordshire |
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| Coordinates | 51°42′40″N 0°17′5″W / 51.71111°N 0.28472°WCoordinates: 51°42′40″N 0°17′5″W / 51.71111°N 0.28472°W |
| Owner | Arsenal F.C. |
| Type | Sports facility |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1998–1999 |
| Opened | 11 October 1999 |
| Construction cost | £10 million |
The Arsenal Training Centre, often referred to as its geographical location London Colney in Hertfordshire, is the training ground of Arsenal Football Club. It houses ten full-size pitches, an indoor facility and a medical and rehabilitation centre.
Constructed after manager Arsène Wenger campaigned for Arsenal to replace its existing University College London groundshare site, it opened in October 1999 at a cost of £10 million. The training centre was financed by the transfer of Nicolas Anelka to Real Madrid.
As well as accommodating Arsenal's first team and youth teams, the centre from 2003 to 2012 acted as the training base for the England national football team before home internationals and friendlies. It has attracted criticism from local residents over environmental and catchment issues.
When Arsène Wenger joined Arsenal in October 1996, he attempted to organise an extra training session at the club's University College London Union (UCLU) Shenley Sports grounds, for the benefit of getting to know his players. Wenger was told that the ground – owned by UCL, was reserved for its students, which left him not knowing “whether to laugh or cry”. A few weeks after, a fire partially burnt down the training centre, costing £50,000 in damages. Arsenal temporarily rehoused their training base to Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans. Wenger, dismayed by the arrangement, campaigned for a purpose-built, Arsenal-owned ground that housed the latest training equipment. This was one of the "important decisions" he wanted to make for the club – "Without an assurance of that freedom and control I would not have stayed."
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