Arsenal fans left furious after club renames its training ground for the first time in 25 years

Arsenal fans have been left furious at news that the club's London Colney training centre will be renamed for the first time in 25 years.

The Gunners have trained at the facility since it opened in October 1999, with then manager Arsene Wenger keen to upgrade from the club's previous agreement at a groundshare site.

While it was officially known as the Arsenal Training Centre, fans affectionally called it London Colney after the area of the city in which it was situated.

The centre cost the Gunners £10 million to build, with that cost actually financed by the high-profile sale £22.5 million of Nicolas Anelka to Real Madrid.

His replacement ended up being Thierry Henry, who cost £12 million less from Juventus, and Arsenal used the remainder of the difference between the deals to fund the training ground.

But it was confirmed by the BBC that Arsenal have now sold the naming rights to the training ground to a Dubai-based luxury real estate developer.

The new name of the centre will now be the Sobha Realty Training Centre, with all traces of London Colney or Arsenal removed.

In addition, the developer will now be the new training kit sleeve partner for both the Arsenal men's and women's teams.

Getty/David Goddard)

Meanwhile, the London Evening Standard report that the deal is a 'multi-million pound agreement', although no exact figures have yet been given.

In a statement, Arsenal sporting director Edu said: "This is a very exciting agreement that will help us develop the best possible environment for our men's and women's players, coaches and support staff for years to come."

But the name change part of the agreement hasn't gone well with Gunners supporters.

Taking to X (Twitter), one wrote: "In Arsene Wenger's lifetime!?? Wow no shame at all."

A second added: "And not one person will call it that. Always be London Colney."

A third echoed that view: "Nah, I don't agree with this. It'll always be London Colney."

And a fourth pointed out: "These things like stadium name shouldn't be changed. It's part of the history. 'That boy from Colney', etc. No-one will say, 'That promising youngster from Sobha Realty Training Centre'."

Topics: Arsenal, Football, Premier League, Fan Reactions

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.