When I’m over Highbury way, I often enter Elwood Street from the Blackstock Road, passing The Gunners pub on my right. Either by car or on foot.

Recently, the flats that will stand where the North Bank used to be have started shooting up, changing the skyline as I travel west. And yet, it’s a route I’ve taken so many times that in my mind’s eye, the North Bank Stand is still very much there, despite the replacement buildings.

This is doubtless helped by the remaining shell of the East Stand, helping position it’s former neighbour in the imagination. Of course, I saw the old North Bank roof many a time making a similar trip, but when the all seater two decker went up in 1993, it was such a strong and dominant structure that it didn’t take long to replace the old terrace roof in my head.

Funnily enough, I can’t see the image fading now. It seems as strong as ever. Many fans used to make the trek down the Avenell Road last season to see what was happening to the old stadium, the sad process of demolition gradually taking its effect. There’s not so much to see these days. The exterior of the old East Stand is now covered in scaffolding and it won’t be much to look at until the flats are completed and it’s functioning once again as a living structure.

However, some fans deliberately walk to the new stadium along Avenell Road as part of their matchday routine. And there must be enough of them that do it to justify the continued presence of a burger van on the other side of the road where Conewood Street begins. Although I think the East and West Stand developments will look good, at the moment the structures taking shape at what used to be the ends of the pitch do appear a bit characterless. Still, I’ll preserve final judgment until the thing’s finished. And whatever it looks like, there’s no doubt the money it raises will help Arsenal Football Club in a big way, possibly even paying off a lot of the existing debts incurred in the move.

The attachment to the old place is made that much stronger by the fact that Arsenal now play so close to their previous home. There’s something about the fact that so many of us can still partake in our old matchday routines that makes the decision to ultimately pay a lot more than was necessary – just to remain in the area – a justified one.

For those who want a more permanent reminder of Highbury than their mind can provide, I can recommend buying a print from this photographer and friend of The Gooner. It will cost more than your memories, but will probably trigger many more. I’ve told the missus to get me one for Christmas, in the unlikely event the memory of the view I used to see as I walked down Elwood Street does ever fade…