Arsenal return to Highbury! Fleetwood stadium name explained ahead of Carabao Cup clash

Mikel Arteta’s men visit Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup last-16 this evening, with the away tie to be staged at the namesake of their beloved former home.

The Gunners called north London’s Highbury Stadium home from 1913 until they moved to their current home at The Emirates in 2006. Its iconic marble halls have since been turned into flats.

The 5,327-capacity ground was first opened in 1939 and has played host to Fleetwood since. Arsenal have been allocated a paltry 941 tickets for the fixture, bumped up from the original 841 due to demand.

Double take: Arsenal play at Highbury tonight - but not their legendary former home

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Fleetwood’s home ground holds just 5,327 fans

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Fleetwood’s Highbury, named after the road on which it was built, is a famously tricky place to play. The small ground is situated just under a kilometre from the coast and open to the elements, which are generally unfavourable on the small outcrop of land jutting into the Irish Sea.

Nathan Pond, Fleetwood’s assistant coach, told The Guardian this week: “You can play the first half [against] the wind, come out for the second half and still be against it. It goes in all directions.”

The ground is, however, known for something of a jaunty matchday atmosphere. Matches are well attended, and goals are celebrated with the theme tune from Captain Pugwash, a nod to the club’s maritime roots.

Arsenal, of course, will not expect to be conceding against the League Two strugglers, who sit 18th with 14 points from their first 13 matches.

Arteta is expected to rotate heavily for the match, though, with Under-21 starlet Ceadach O'Neill and the wonderkid Max Dowman expected to feature.