Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has defended the club's decision to leave Highbury to move to the Emirates Stadium, stating that it was a necessary move in modern football.
The Gunners have struggled to compete since their move in 2006, having not won the Premier League since 2004 and not reaching the Champions League final since their final campaign at Highbury.
As a result, many fans wonder what might have been if they remained in their historic ground and whether the club would have competed with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.
Former boss Arsene Wenger criticised the move in an interview this week, saying: "I moved from Highbury, which was similar to Anfield, but there was a soul in the stadium.
"We built a new stadium but we never found our soul - we left our soul at Highbury."
However, Parlour understands why the decision was made and explained that is was vital in the evolution of modern football.
“It’s a difficult one because you always try to better yourself, you’re always looking at the revenue streams,” he told TalkSport.
“If you went to Highbury, you had two bars around the stadium, not even that, corporate bars where you could go in, they were behind the goals. People had their meal before the game, you couldn’t look at the pitch, you’d go to your seat and then you’d go back after.
“Now, at club level and Spurs will be exactly the same, you can walk around the stadium, there’s some fantastic bars, and it’s a day out now for people and that’s the way football has gone.
“You have to go with the times. As much as I loved Highbury, and I had many great years there, I think they made the right decision.
“The big problem is the owners not spending any money. They need to take a bit of a gamble. If we can get Champions League football, back in the top-four, it will be better. The atmosphere has been excellent in the last few weeks.
“I went to the Manchester United game and it was the best atmosphere that I’ve seen there for a number of years. The Chelsea game was very good, I know we lost the game and the result didn’t go the way in the end, but the atmosphere was definitely there.
“They’re getting right behind the team now and getting right behind Arteta.”
