LONDON (AFP) - English Premier League side Arsenal on Monday increased the price of their cheapest season ticket to just under 1,000 pounds (1,250 euros).

The London club's tickets are now 275 pounds more expensive than rivals Liverpool after their first price increase in four years.

The 4.5 percent jump, which takes the season ticket price from 885 to 925 pounds, was defended by club director Danny Fiszman.

"We've held the prices for four years but there is substantial inflation in football," Fiszman told Arsenal TV Online.

"Rather than keep holding prices back and then having a huge increase, we think it's better to have a small, steady increase rather than a big jump."

He added: "Our season tickets include cup and Champions League games, which other competing clubs in London charge extra for."