Mud, Money and Mindset – Is the Emirates Pitch Debate Really About Grass?
By Angela Newton – Beadlet Owner & Proud Arsenal Fan
If you spend any time in Arsenal fan spaces right now, you’ll have seen the conversations.
The Emirates pitch.
The goalmouths.
The mud.
The “it will lose us the title” comments.
And yes — visually, it’s different. The Emirates has always been famous for that perfect, almost glowing green surface. Recently, you can see wear, especially around the goal areas. But before we jump to conclusions, we need to look at the bigger picture.
Because maybe this isn’t really about mud at all.
The Reality: More Football Than Ever Before
Right now, Arsenal are competing at the highest level across multiple competitions. The men are still pushing in domestic and European competitions. The women are playing more matches than ever at the Emirates — which is something many fans wanted for years.
And it’s working.
The Emirates pitch is under pressure because the stadium is being used more — men’s fixtures, women’s fixtures, cup matches, international fixtures and more. Reports suggest over 40 matches could be played there this season, which naturally puts strain on any surface.
And let’s not forget — Arsenal made a deliberate decision to bring the women’s team fully into the main stadium experience. The club even committed to hosting all Women’s Super League home games at the Emirates to grow the fanbase and visibility of the women’s game.
That’s progress.
The Money Argument – And Why It Misses the Point
I’ve seen the argument online:
“The men bring in around £600m. The women bring in around £26m.”
Let’s talk facts.
Arsenal’s total football revenue recently sat at around £613 million. Arsenal Women recently generated around £22–26 million, making them one of — if not the — highest-earning women’s football teams in the world.
Let that sink in.
They are leading the global women’s football revenue table.
Now ask yourself this:
How many men’s clubs would be absolutely delighted with £26 million revenue? Plenty!So have we lost sight of what that number actually means?
Because £26 million isn’t failure.
It’s growth.
It’s investment.
It’s a signal of what the women’s game is becoming.
Is This Really About Pitch Quality — Or Attitude?
This is the uncomfortable question.
When people say: “Maybe the women shouldn’t be using the stadium…” Is that really about grass?Or is it about long-standing attitudes toward the women’s game?
Because the women’s team isn’t just “using” the stadium.
They are filling it. They are growing the fanbase. They are driving record attendances and revenue growth.
And importantly — they are performing and bring a whole new army of fans to the Arsenal.
The Bigger Picture
Football changes.
Pitches get worn when stadiums are used more. And stadiums get used more when clubs are growing. If anything, a slightly worn goalmouth is a sign of something positive:
More games.
More fans.
More opportunities.
More history being written.
Final Thought
As Arsenal fans, surely we should be proud. Proud of what the men are doing. Proud of what the women are doing.
Proud that our club is leading the way in growing the game.
Because this shouldn’t be about mud. It should be about momentum.
And as for me?
I say bring on those mucky boots.
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