Arsenal director Danny Fiszman says the club's new stadium should be completed in 2006, and has refuted suggestions that the plans could cause serious financial worries.

Uncertainty over the move after problems in raising funds for the £400million project has led to claims that Arsenal were taking a huge risk by pressing ahead with the move.

In response, the club has taken the step of including a statement of intent in the programme against Southampton at Highbury.

The move should allay fans' fears and reassure players such as Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires, both in the middle of talks over new contracts, that Arsenal are not abandoning plans to move to a bigger ground.

The statement by Arsenal directors Fiszman and Ken Friar, the two men in charge of the project, says: "We are totally and utterly committed to Ashburton Grove. That cannot be stressed strongly enough. Contrary to press comment, we are not considering any other stadium than Ashburton Grove.

"Our definite plan is to be back at work before the end of the year, which would give us the ability to deliver a stadium for the 2006/2007 season.

"If gambling is doing something without a 100% guarantee of success, then yes, there is a gamble. Are we gambling with the club? The answer is no, because if we were not successful in the move to Ashburton Grove we would still have a substantial property portfolio.

"We are, however, very confident that the move will be a success. Ashburton Grove is going to be our new home."