Wanted: winning farewell to stadium with a soul

ARSENE WENGER is ready to ensure the Highbury faithful witness a fitting send off to the last European tie at the “special” old stadium in north London tonight.

With the Gunners preparing for life at their 60,000-seater home in Ashburton Grove from next season, the visit of Villarreal for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final will clearly take on extra significance.

Having transformed Arsenal on the pitch, it is now perhaps appropriate it should be Wenger who will lead his emerging side out at the impressive Emirates Stadium in August as the club look to enter a new era.