Shenley Training Centre

Shenley Training Centre stands on 143 acres in London Colney, Hertfordshire, beside a local school. It replaced an old groundshare at University College London’s sports fields in Shenley. The complex has ten full-size pitches, two with undersoil heating and automated sprinklers. Inside are rehabilitation pools, physiotherapy rooms, gyms, a restaurant, classrooms and a TV studio. A medical centre with anti-gravity treadmills and screening equipment opened in 2011. Arsène Wenger pushed for the centre after failing to book extra sessions at Shenley’s student pitches. The project cost £10 million, partly funded by Nicolas Anelka’s £22.5 million transfer. England’s national team trained here from 2003 to 2012 before moving to St George’s Park. Wenger called it a “big attraction” for players and praised the shared training space for squad unity. Visitors find manicured pitches laid to Emirates Stadium standards, with three reserved for youth, three for reserves and three for the first team. A tenth pitch hosts first-team friendlies and Under-18 fixtures. The medical centre offers hydrotherapy pools and cryochambers for injured players. Outside, the green belt setting keeps noise and traffic low, though some locals have criticised the club’s community links.