Arsene Wenger has already told Arsenal why Wembley plan is utterly ridiculous

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Arsenal are considering a temporary move to Wembley as talks to expand the Emirates Stadium take place.

The Gunners – who see their Emirates deal expire in 2028 – are at a very early stage in discussions over a potential expansion, but have floated the idea of a switch to the national stadium while construction takes place.

Rivals Tottenham played the entirety of the 2017/18 campaign and most of the 2018/19 season at Wembley whilst their new stadium was being built.

However, Arsene Wenger made comments back in 2016 which suggest he would not be in favour of Arsenal moving to Wembley – even on a temporary basis.

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal never felt “at home” when playing at Wembley

The north Londoners played UEFA Champions League matches at the old Wembley in both the 1998/99 and 1999/2000 seasons due to the fact Highbury’s capacity had to be reduced to accommodate advertising hoardings.

Arsenal failed to get out of the Group Stage in both of these UEFA Champions League campaigns, and Wenger has bad memories of the experience.

ESPN quote the Frenchman as saying back in January 2016: “It was a nightmare. In hindsight it was the wrong decision. At the time at Highbury we had to cut 5,000 seats. We decided to go to Wembley, but we didn’t feel at home.

“The pitch was bigger, the ground was different and for the English players it was something completely unusual. We were used – at Highbury – to a tight pitch and unfortunately we were playing against Dynamo Kyiv, who were running everywhere on a very big pitch. It was a disadvantage for sure.”

When Arsenal and Tottenham shared a ground

If Wembley is not an option for Arsenal – who have offered David Raya a new deal – some might suggest a ground share with north London rivals Tottenham.

That seems highly unlikely to happen in the modern era, but the events of World War Two actually led Arsenal to play some games at the old White Hart Lane.

Highbury stadium had been requisitioned by the Government as an ARP (Air Raid Precautions) centre, so the north London rivals needed to share a ground for the entirety of World War Two.

It would be highly convenient for Arsenal if Tottenham offered the Gunners another ground share while work takes place on the Emirates Stadium, but without the threat of war forcing the issue, we cannot see it happening.