According to The Herts Advertiser, Arsenal have sealed approval from Hertsmere borough council planning committee meaning a long planned expansion of their London Colney training facilities will soon become a reality.

The Gunners board have already ring-fenced cash for the project which will see the construction of a two storey extension to the indoor training pitch which will accommodate a new strength and conditioning gym replete with pre-activation and stretching area, eight platform stations and movement areas, cardio vascular equipment space, spinning and weights area, 3D performance analysis area, running track with integrated performance analytical sensors and associated storage.

A host of new offices, changing rooms, an upgraded laundry and other backroom facilities are included in the plan.

Arsenal outlines the following reasons for their proposal:

“When the training centre was first opened in 1999 the centre was considered one of the best in Europe. Today whilst additional improvements have been made to the medical rehabilitation areas improving the response of players to long term injury, other areas have fallen behind in football development terms. In particular facilities for strength and conditioning and analytical research have fallen behind top European and Premier League Clubs.

“The facilities and equipment planned for this new building are now considered essential by all the top clubs to assist in preparing and developing footballing talent. They are now deemed essential facilities by footballs governing body and medical professionals and all of the facilities proposed have been incorporated at St George’s Park, the national Football Centre and at Loughborough University where national sporting bodies have training bases using these facilities.”

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It’s the latest in a series of improvements made across the first team training centre and the Hale End academy.

It’s also interesting to note the club’s desire to update the strength and conditioning facilities in the light of a job recently advertised job seeking a First Team Strength and Conditioning Coach