Football in England 5 Must-See sites at the Emirates Stadium for Every Visiting Fan

5 Must-See sites at the Emirates Stadium for Every Visiting Fan

5 July 2026By Love1Ticket Team7 min read

Arsenal's Emirates Stadium opened on 22 July 2006 and has been the club's home ground ever since, with an all-seater capacity of 60,704 and thoroughly modern matchday infrastructure across its four stands. Early criticism of the Emirates, that a bowl-design ground built without much visible heritage carried too little of old Highbury with it, was largely put to rest by the 2009 Arsenalisation programme, which restored a series of named heritage features around the concourse, the perimeter, and the stadium tour route.

Whether you're a first-time visitor, a travelling supporter with Arsenal tickets in hand, or simply curious about the ground, there's a natural walking circuit that takes in these heritage features before kick-off. The six items below are the must-sees worth planning your pre-match hour around, along with the practical timing and travel tips that go with each one.

1. The Tony Adams statue (North Bank exterior)

The bronze statue of Tony Adams, Arsenal captain from 1988 to 2002 and a four-time First Division and Premier League title winner, was unveiled outside the North Bank entrance to the Emirates on 9 December 2011, alongside companion statues of Thierry Henry and Herbert Chapman. Sculptor Sean Henry captured the iconic post-final-whistle salute from the title-clinching fixture against Everton at Highbury on 3 May 1998, both arms raised in celebration. The statue stands around three metres tall on a granite plinth and sits on the standard pre-match walking route between Arsenal tube station and the West Stand entrance. For photos, mid-afternoon works best on a Saturday 3pm kick-off, since the light angle from the south is most flattering, and this remains the most photographed single feature of the Emirates exterior.

2. The Thierry Henry statue (Clock End south-east corner)

Unveiled the same day as the Adams statue, the Thierry Henry statue stands in the south-east corner of the Emirates exterior, near the Clock End. The bronze captures Henry's celebration after his goal against Tottenham at Highbury on 13 November 2002, a fixture Arsenal won 3-0, chosen deliberately for the derby significance as much as the personal milestone. Henry remains Arsenal's all-time leading scorer with 228 goals across two spells at the club, four Premier League Golden Boots, the Invincibles' unbeaten 2003-04 season, and a Champions League final appearance in 2006. The statue has become a fixed pilgrimage point for supporters of every generation, and this side of the exterior tends to be the quieter approach for anyone walking in from the tube.

3. The Arsene Wenger gates (West Stand entrance)

The Arsene Wenger gates, the formally named entrance at the West Stand, were dedicated to the long-serving manager in March 2018, ahead of Wenger's departure at the end of that season after 22 years in charge. The inscription and accompanying plaque summarise his record: three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, the 2003-04 Invincibles season still unmatched in Premier League history, and the longest single-manager tenure of the modern era. The gates sit at the entry point typically used by Club Level members and box holders, but they're visible from the public concourse and worth the short detour for any visiting fan.

4. The original Highbury brick and Highbury heritage wall

A brick preserved from the demolished Highbury East Stand sits on display along the Emirates Stadium tour route, the most tangible single piece of Highbury carried into the new ground. The Highbury heritage wall on the West Stand's inner concourse displays curated memorabilia, including the original Marble Halls bust of Herbert Chapman, match programmes spanning the Bertie Mee, Don Howe, George Graham, and Wenger eras, photographs from the 1971 double-winning side, and a run of historic kits. The original Clock End clock from Highbury was also preserved and reinstalled above the Clock End at the Emirates. Half a mile away, the Highbury Square residential development retains the listed Art Deco East and West Stand facades, with the old pitch now a private garden, and it's a worthwhile add-on for anyone doing the full stadium tour.

5. The Armoury heritage display and matchday retail

The Armoury, Arsenal's main retail store adjacent to the West Stand, is one of the largest single Premier League club retail outlets in London by floor area, and it's worth a stop whether or not it's matchday. Alongside current kit ranges, training wear, and the usual souvenir lines, the heritage-shirt display on the upper floor walks through the evolution of the Arsenal kit, from the 1886 Dial Square shirts through the 1989, 1991, 1997-98, and 2001-02 title-winning kits, the 2003-04 Invincibles shirt, and on to the present day. The Armoury opens roughly three hours before kick-off on matchdays and stays open for about an hour after the final whistle. Queues build sharply in the last half hour before kick-off, so aim to visit at least 90 minutes before if you want to browse without the rush.

A planned circuit taking in the Tony Adams statue, the Thierry Henry statue, the Wenger gates, the Highbury brick and heritage wall, the Diamond Club view, and the Armoury takes roughly 90 minutes if done before kick-off. For a deeper look at the dressing rooms, the players' tunnel, and the directors' box, the full Emirates Stadium tour (closed on matchdays, available the day before and after most fixtures) is the better route. A few practical notes for the day: arrive at least 30 minutes before kick-off via Arsenal tube station on the Piccadilly Line for the shortest walk to the West Stand and the Armoury, allow 90 minutes door to seat from central London on a first visit, and bring only a small bag, under A4 size, since larger bags aren't permitted into the ground.

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-sees at the Emirates Stadium? The six worth prioritising are the Tony Adams statue outside the North Bank entrance, the Thierry Henry statue near the Clock End, the Arsene Wenger gates at the West Stand entrance, the original Highbury brick and heritage wall on the West Stand concourse, the Diamond Club entrance and directors' box view, and the Armoury heritage display in the club's main store.

Where are the Arsenal statues at the Emirates? Five Arsenal legends are honoured in statue form around the stadium exterior: Tony Adams outside the North Bank, Thierry Henry near the Clock End, Dennis Bergkamp to the south of the Clock End, Herbert Chapman near the Danny Fiszman Bridge, and Ken Friar opposite the Arsenal Museum. All five were sculpted by Sean Henry and unveiled in stages between 2011 and 2014.

How do I get to the Emirates Stadium? Three London Underground stations serve the ground. Arsenal station on the Piccadilly Line is closest, about three minutes from the Clock End, and is the only Tube station in London named after a football club. Holloway Road, also on the Piccadilly Line, is five minutes from the West Stand, though it's typically closed on matchdays. Finsbury Park is around ten minutes away and works well for anyone travelling via King's Cross.

Is the Emirates Stadium tour worth it? For most first-time visitors with time to spare before or after a fixture, yes. The standard self-guided tour covers the dressing rooms, the players' tunnel, the directors' box, and the Highbury heritage memorabilia, while the Legends tour upgrade adds a walk-through with a former player. Tours run on non-matchdays only and need booking in advance.

What competitions can I watch Arsenal play at the Emirates? Arsenal host Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Champions League fixtures at the Emirates, alongside occasional European nights that draw travelling supporters from across the continent. Verified football match tickets for all of these are available through the secondary market ahead of most home dates.

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