Arsenal have become the first Premier League club to install an ‘injury-reducing’ pitch at their training base.
In a press release published by Paris-based firm Natural Grass, it was revealed that the Gunners have had the AirFibr technology installed at their London Colney training grounds.
The technology had previously been in use for the past two years on the club’s goalkeeping areas, but Arsene Wenger has now taken the option of using it throughout their 58-hectare headquarters.
Experts at Natural Grass claim that their turf ‘reduces the risk of injuries’ by up to 40%.
According to The Sun:
‘The all-weather resistant turf is made of 100 per cent natural grass anchored in an artificial rootzone formed __with sand, synthetic microfibers and granulated natural cork.’
Arsenal became the first club to use the technology in the Premier League, but have been quickly followed by West Ham. Real Madrid and Lyon are also now client of Natural Grass, while the turf was used in many stadiums at Euro 2016.
The Gunners currently have five players sidelined through injury, and have a reputation for picking up knocks and strains in training.
Chuba Akpom, Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck are all currently sidelined for the Premier League’s second-placed side, and it is hoped that the new turf will reduce the likelihood of further injuries.