Arsenal have raised their season ticket prices for the first time in seven years, with prices to increase by at least four per cent to "return finances to a breakeven position in the medium term".
The Gunners welcomed back a full capacity to Emirates Stadium this campaign, after over a season of playing games almost entirely behind closed doors due to COVID-19.
Mikel Arteta's side are pushing for Champions League qualification this term, sitting two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with three games in hand, and the Spaniard has cited the home support as a driving factor.
However, ticket prices are set to rise next season, with the additional cost depending on what competitions Arsenal qualify for.
The average general admission season ticket price will climb by £49 to £1,268 if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League.
There will be an increase of £44 to £1,139 if they reach the Europa League, and an increase of £40 to £1,050 if they once again fail to qualify for Europe entirely.
"We recognise that no one welcomes price increases, and this decision has not been taken lightly," Arsenal said in a statement on Monday.
"Ultimately in the face of continued rising costs, we need to continue to drive growth in all our revenue streams – including match day – as part of our aim to return finances to a break even position in the medium term."
It will be the first time since 2014 that Arsenal have hiked the cost of a matchday pass.
Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST) have hit back at the club's decision, but they have welcomed the additional concessions introduced for supporters aged between 19 and 21.
AST's statement read: "When presented with news of the increase at the recent Arsenal Advisory Board (AAB) and Fans Forum, the AST representatives present argued against the case for any increase.
"Arsenal's position is that in light of costs increasing much faster than revenues (and now consistently being in loss-making territory) they need to develop all of their revenue streams to move the club back to financial sustainability.
"They also pointed out this is the first across the board ticket price increase in seven seasons. This price increase is forecast to generate an extra £3.8million in the 2022-23 season.
"We pointed out to the club that in recent years they have secured big increases to other commercial and broadcast revenue streams and that the Premier League have just announced further big increases to future broadcast revenues and UEFA forecasting further increases too.
"Arsenal can also expect a significant increase in their ticketing revenues as a result of likely qualification for European competitions next season. On average Arsenal gross £3m per home game."
Arsenal also confirmed they are planning to invest in the stadium, which will include "a major refurbishment of the roof, new big screens, turnstile readers to speed up entry, and the wraps outside Emirates Stadium."
For the 2022-23 campaign, the cost of a general admission season pass will actually decrease, despite the overall price rise, because of a "cup tie credit" refund of £75.33.
The refund comes after Arsenal did not play any home matches in the FA Cup this season.
Chelsea Women 0-2 Barcelona Femeni (1-2 agg): Holders reach Champions League final again
Women's Champions League holders Barcelona overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit to reach a fourth straight final on Saturday, beating 10-player Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Emma Hayes' hopes of ending her glittering spell with the Blues by lifting the Champions League trophy were dashed in heartbreaking fashion in front of a sell-out crowd in West London.
Barca went ahead through Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati 26 minutes in, the diminutive Spaniard seeing her shot deflect off Kadeisha Buchanan to beat Hannah Hampton.
The hosts pushed for a response as Sjoeke Nuksen struck the post, but their position worsened just before the hour mark as Buchanan was perhaps harshly shown a second yellow card for her tackle on Salma Paralluelo.
Barca penned their hosts back from there and Bonmati was decisive again as they inched ahead with 15 minutes to play, drawing a foul from Ashley Lawrence and allowing Fridolina Rolfo to convert from the penalty spot.
Jonatan Giraldez's team have won two of the last three editions of the Champions League, also losing in the final to Lyon in 2021-22. They could be reunited with Les Lyonnaises in next month's final in Bilbao, as they hold a 3-2 lead over Paris Saint-Germain at the halfway stage of the other semi-final.
Data Debrief: Bonmati caps trademark Barca performance
Aided by Buchanan's red card, Barcelona showcased their mastery of possession-based football at Stamford Bridge, enjoying 67.8 per cent of the possession and completing over twice as many passes as Chelsea (583 to 224).
Bonmati was at the centre of everything for the Blaugrana, playing a key role in both goals as well as laying on two chances for team-mates and playing 31 passes in the final third – no Chelsea player recorded more than 11.
‘Too many draws have cost us’ – De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi has highlighted too many draws as Brighton’s problem this season while looking ahead to their trip to Bournemouth on Sunday.
The Seagulls suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to title-hopefuls Manchester City on Thursday, extending their winless run to five games.
Despite sitting in 12th, Brighton still have an outside chance of getting a European place next season, though they would have to win all five of their remaining matches against teams above them in the table.
Asked how his side will approach a tough fixture list at the end of the season, De Zerbi said: “It’s not a good thing we’re playing teams above us. We should be better. Chelsea and Bournemouth are very close with us, and we have the chance to win the game and fight to reach the highest position we can.
“We’ve had too many draws. For sure we can lose 11 games in this moment, but we could win more games. Sometimes I think what I could do better to win more games, but it’s tough because we drew a lot, shooting a lot of times on goal without scoring, especially at home.”
Huddersfield all but relegated from Championship while League Two play-off spots decided
Huddersfield Town saw their relegation from the Championship all but confirmed after a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Terriers avoided a defeat that would have seen them relegated on Saturday, but even a win on the final day over promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town will not be enough unless they overcome a huge goal difference of 15 goals with Plymouth Argyle.
Birmingham remain in the other relegation place and now must beat Norwich City to stand a chance of staying up with Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth and Blackburn Rovers also still in danger.
At the other end of the table, the Canaries dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City, leaving the door open for Hull City, who face Ipswich Town later today.
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