Arsene Wenger speaks out ahead of final Everton fixture at Goodison Park
Everton are preparing for a big occasion, as they look ahead to their final ever Premier League fixture at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The Toffees will make the move to Bramley-Moore Dock after the conclusion of the campaign, in the hope of a new era of success on Merseyside.
While the future is exciting, under the ownership of The Friedkin Group, leaving behind a stadium that has been home since 1892 is never going to be easy.
Thankfully, the Blues face Southampton, a game that should certainly allow the opportunity to go out on a high with three points.
Arsene Wenger pays tribute to Goodison Park
Goodison is a stadium with plenty of history in English football and, as much as the supporters love their home, it is also a stadium well-loved by others in football too.
Not only has Goodison hosted some top-class games, but it has also hosted players of that same calibre, while the best managers have spent time in the dugouts.
One of those great managers, who had plenty of trips to Merseyside during his time managing in the Premier League, is Arsene Wenger.
Having been through a stadium change with Arsenal himself, the boss knows all about the feelings a move creates and he has had his say on Everton’s move.
Speaking to Sky Sports (12 May), Wenger admitted: “When I see that, it makes me think about Highbury disappearing, it’s another soul of English football which disappears.
“Of course, I understand it’s evolution – I pushed my club to build the Emirates – but it is sad as well because part of our history goes.
“Everton was a very intimidating ground. When we [Arsenal] built the new ground, to recreate the same atmosphere was impossible – the fact that you could shake hands with the fans when you took a corner is not there anymore, and we all miss that.”
Goodison goodbye bittersweet
Everton have been through a difficult number of seasons and many supporters will be looking ahead to the summer as the real start of a new era, which will be very welcome on Merseyside.
Furthermore, to keep the Toffees progressing forward and competing at the highest levels they can achieve in the Premier League, naturally, a bigger stadium with better facilities is going to increase the revenue to aid that.
That being said, football is all about emotion, and the amount of history that has been created at Goodison will be hard for any supporters to say goodbye to.
| Goodison Park | |
| Opened | 1892 |
| Capacity | 39,572 |
Sunday has to be all about the best send off possible and the supporters must do all they can in their new home to ensure they are not the latest to become a soulless bowl.