How Arsenal are trying to improve the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal is having a fantastic season start – leading by four points at the top of the Premier League following nine matches – as they strive for the title after three consecutive second-place finishes.

However, there are ongoing worries about the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium.

Chants from certain rival fans, dubbing the Emirates a «library», have underscored what some view as a deficiency in noise at the venue.

This challenge isn’t exclusive to Arsenal, as many fans from historic ‘big six’ clubs frequently share their disappointment regarding the ambiance at home games on social media.

In Arsenal’s case, there are factors contributing to a perceived decline in atmosphere at the Emirates, including elevated expectations from supporters.

Nevertheless, Arsenal hasn’t claimed the Premier League since 2004 and last won a trophy in 2020 when they secured the FA Cup.

In recent seasons, manager Mikel Arteta has emphasized the significance of fan presence in the stadium, aiming to «create the greatest atmosphere in the world at the Emirates».

Arteta now regularly communicates messages to fans during his pre-match press conferences.

He has encouraged them to arrive early, and prior to the Crystal Palace match on Sunday, he expressed a desire for fans to «join us in the game» and «be seated with a certain demeanor, with a specific body language».

So what initiatives is Arsenal pursuing to amplify the noise?

One notable change this season has been Arsenal’s decision to remove the cover from the players’ tunnel.

This alteration allows both Arsenal players and, importantly, the opposition to listen to the crowd noise prior to kickoff.

Additionally, this reform has enabled fans in that vicinity to engage with the players, resulting in numerous moments of players high-fiving and interacting with supporters as they enter and exit the tunnel.

«We must ignite the atmosphere so they can engage in every single action with us, as it makes a significant impact,» Arteta remarked when questioned about the modification.

«Our objective is to compete and win championships. That is non-negotiable.

«You must have a stadium capable of creating those moments, without a doubt.»

Recently, Arsenal fan and broadcaster Roman Kemp shared an anecdote about meeting Arteta on a flight, providing intriguing insights into his influence on stadium modifications.

While on the Call Yourself a Fan podcast, Kemp recounted how Arteta inquired about the protocol for announcing player names after a goal.

When a goal occurs at the Emirates, the stadium announcer proclaims the scorer’s first name, pauses for fans to chant the scorer’s last name back, and this sequence is repeated three times.

Kemp mentioned that Arteta questioned whether this made a difference, subsequently revealing that it was his initiative to implement such a change.

Kemp noted that it was an «intense» conversation, but it underscored how many marginal improvements Arteta is contemplating to maximize the team’s performance.

Light shows can be a divisive subject among fans, yet Arsenal has embraced this at the Emirates.

While not employed for every match, they are showcased during significant games.

Before the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, stewards brandishing QR codes on boards approached fans so they could scan them on their mobile devices.

This allowed fans to participate in the light show and exemplified building connections with supporters.

As noted, Arteta is eager for fans to take a proactive role in the ongoing match.

During halftime of the Atletico match, one supporter shared a picture on X showing a notice on the concourse stating that the club would no longer display the second half of matches on screens.

All these strategies are part of a collaboration among various departments within the club to enhance the fan experience.

These are not the final adjustments to the matchday experience, as the club is striving to improve the atmosphere in the stadium by collaborating with fan groups.