Shot between 2001 and 2006, Antonio Cunazza’s analogue photographs capture Highbury’s quiet architecture and enduring elegance – an intimate record of a beloved stadium frozen in time, long after its stands fell silent.

“First word that comes to mind when I think of Highbury is elegance. That means class, and a respect for traditions and heritage. As an Arsenal fan, it’s what I’ve learned this club is about, and what I’m proud of. Highbury was a gem and it still holds a place in the heart. The thrill of turning the corner onto Avenell Road, standing in awe before the East Stand, bumping into Charlie George on Highbury Hill and sharing a quick chat, the midweek quiet, the sense of connection the building had with the life and habits of the borough. Many supporters can say far more than I ever could about this remarkable place, and I hope these photos bring some memories back. As for me, I’m just glad I experienced it for a while.” – Antonio Cunazza

Highbury opened in 1913, when Arsenal played their first match there on 6 September against Leicester Fosse, beginning a 93-year residency that shaped the club’s identity. The original stadium was designed by renowned football architect Archibald Leitch, while the celebrated Art Deco East and West Stands—completed in the 1930s—were created by architects Claude Waterlow Ferrier and William Binnie, giving Highbury its iconic modernist character. Arsenal’s final competitive game at the ground was on 7 May 2006, a Premier League win over Wigan Athletic that closed the book on nearly a century of football history. Today, the site has been transformed into Highbury Square, a residential development that preserves the listed East and West Stands, with the former pitch now serving as a landscaped communal garden.

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