November 18 – Arsenal have marked two years of their partnership with Sobha Realty by outlining the latest upgrades at the Training Centre the Dubai-based developer sponsored.
Sobha joined Arsenal in 2023 and has since become one of the club’s Principal Partners, securing naming rights to the London Colney complex and branding on first-team training kit. In that time, the partnership has been anchored not in marketing alone but in a steady programme of facility investment.
Arsenal confirmed a series of infrastructure improvements delivered through the collaboration, including revamped restaurant areas, upgraded dressing rooms, expanded recovery facilities, and a newly refurbished media centre. A dedicated women’s first-team building has also been added – one of the most significant elements of the overhaul and a reflection of both parties’ intent to strengthen the women’s high-performance environment.
The Gunners are a world leader in women’s football development and are perhaps the best-supported club in world football in that regard.
The deepening alliance also comes at a time when Arsenal’s commercial portfolio is increasingly anchored in the Gulf. Both the club’s principal partners – Emirates and Sobha Realty – are UAE-based, reflecting a broader trend across the Premier League but one that inevitably raises questions about diversification, influence, and the strategic balance of the club’s sponsorship model.
As the agreement enters its third year, Arsenal say further improvements are planned to maintain London Colney’s status as a top-tier training base. For Sobha, the project continues to serve as a high-visibility platform in European football, while strengthening its strategic positioning through a partnership centred on tangible investment rather than pure branding.
Ashish Parakh, Group Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Sobha Realty, said: “Over the past two years, our partnership with Arsenal has grown into a powerful synergy, and we take immense pride in what we have built together. This collaboration, rooted in shared values of excellence, precision, and performance, now goes beyond sport and real estate.
“It is united by a commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and continuous improvement. The Sobha Realty Training Centre stands as a testament to these ideals, reflecting our joint vision to create environments where talent thrives and potential is realised. As we enter the next phase of our journey, we remain dedicated to further enhancing this world-class facility and deepening our relationship with the Arsenal family.”
Juliet Slot, Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, added: “Our partners play a vital role in supporting our ambition and goals as a club, and we’re proud to work with such a brilliant range of brands who are the best at what they do.
“Sobha Realty have been an integral part of this journey over the past two years and counting – helping us to create the best possible environment for our people and players to perform at their best, and supporting our vision to win major trophies. We look forward to what’s to come and all that we can continue to achieve together.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1763469375labto1763469375ofdlr1763469375owedi1763469375sni@g1763469375niwe.1763469375yrrah1763469375
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