New attack on Arsenal stadium bid

Arsenal have been hit by new criticism of their £357million stadium development.

Ken Livingstone has attacked the club for failing to rebuild its hugely popular sports centre beside its new Ashburton Grove home.

The Premiership champions will move from Highbury in two years, with the 60,000 stadium being opened for the start of the 2006/7 season.

But the wider scheme, which includes dozens of businesses being forced out to make way for more than 2,000 new flats and other developments, has sparked court challenges.

Now the Mayor has intervened by expressing concern at the decision not to rebuild the sports centre - currently part of Highbury stadium - beside the new ground, which he described as "regrettable".

It is used by local groups for 50 hours a week and is the closest many deprived teenagers get to their football heroes.

Critics claim the community benefits attached to the new stadium development are being "watered down".

But Mr Livingstone said the changes were not sufficiently serious for him to reject the plans for land to the north of the new stadium.