Arsenal go to High Court in battle to hold more concerts at the Emirates Stadium to increase club's revenue

  • Gunners want to double number of gigs each year - from three to six
  • Islington Council rejected that proposal and now face court battle
  • Inspector said if Arsenal could afford Mesut Ozil, they can't plead poverty
  • Muse, Coldplay and Bruce Springsteen have all played at the N7 venue

Arsenal have launched a High Court battle over a curb on the number of concerts that can be held at the Emirates Stadium.


The Premier League club argue there was a 'clear error' in the decision-making process.

Arsenal have applied to double the number of concerts from three to six at their north London stadium.

Gig venue: The Emirates has held concerts from the likes of Bruce Springsteen as well as Arsenal's games

Gig venue: The Emirates has held concerts from the likes of Bruce Springsteen as well as Arsenal's games

Fans favourite: Springsteen climbs above the crowd on his appearance at Arsenal's ground

Fans favourite: Springsteen climbs above the crowd on his appearance at Arsenal's ground

Opponents have voiced concerns over noise and rowdy music fans. Concerts featuring Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay and Muse have generated hundreds of thousands of pounds extra revenue for the club.

Islington Council rejected Arsenal's application and a planning inspector dismissed the club's appeal in January this year.

The inspector said that if Arsenal could afford to buy a player like midfielder Mesut Ozil for £43million from Real Madrid in the summer, they could not plead poverty.

But on Tuesday Dan Kolinsky. representing the club, told Mr Justice Cranston at the High Court in London the inspector's decision was legally flawed and should not be allowed to stand.

Grand show: Matt Bellamy and his band Muse have also headlined the North London ground

Grand show: Matt Bellamy and his band Muse have also headlined the North London ground

Big money move: The inspector said that Arsenal could not plead poverty when signing players like Mesut Ozil

Big money move: The inspector said that Arsenal could not plead poverty when signing players like Mesut Ozil

Applying for judicial review, Mr Kolinksy submitted the inspector had failed to apply the law correctly when he decided the proposal to double the number of concerts 'did not accord with the development plan' for the stadium.

He told the judge: 'We say there is a clear error on the face of the decision letter.'

Lawyers for the inspector and Islington are arguing the inspector followed the correct approach and there is no substance in the club's challenge.

During the public inquiry run by the inspector, Arsenal chief executive director Ken Friar said the club needed the money from the gigs to perform in the extremely competitive world of football, citing Manchester United's profits at £100m compared to Arsenal's £20m.

More familiar: Arsenal take on Everton as the stadium's more typical residents

More familiar: Arsenal take on Everton as the stadium's more typical residents

Decent hosts: More gigs could be held at the 60,000-capacity ground

Decent hosts: More gigs could be held at the 60,000-capacity ground