Arsenal has been just a few goals away from major success in recent seasons, highlighting the fine margins that can separate victory from defeat in elite competitions. The club continues to focus on building a team capable of becoming champions in various tournaments, but success sometimes requires more than just superior football. Small adjustments to a team’s home ground can also influence results by giving the hosts a psychological edge.
Tactical Change to the Emirates Stadium
In this pursuit of fine margins, Arsenal has made a specific change to the Emirates Stadium that they hope will bring them closer to silverware. For years, the players’ tunnel at the ground featured an outer cover, designed to enclose the walkway leading onto the pitch. However, it has been suggested that this structure reduced the noise from the stands reaching players before kick-off. Believing that greater exposure to the stadium atmosphere could increase the intensity of home support and potentially unsettle visiting teams, the manager requested that the outer cover be removed. This adjustment is intended to allow more of the crowd’s energy to filter into the tunnel and onto the pitch.
According to the Daily Mail, this change was made at the request of the manager, who felt the increased volume and atmosphere could play a role in motivating players and intimidating opponents.
Mixed Reaction from Supporters
The reaction to this decision has been mixed. While some supporters welcome any effort to enhance the matchday experience and create a more intimidating environment for visiting teams, others have mocked the change, expressing scepticism that such a minor alteration could significantly impact results. Rival fans have also seized the opportunity to make light of the adjustment, pointing to the club’s recent lack of trophies as evidence that more substantial improvements may be required.
Despite the criticism, the club’s management remains confident in the approach, trusting that these marginal gains can combine with on-pitch performance to deliver the success the fans crave. Arsenal’s focus is on leaving no stone unturned in their quest for silverware, and while rival supporters may continue to scoff at the decision, the belief within the club is that such measures could contribute to narrowing the gap between near misses and lifting trophies.
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Seems that in his quest for a title success Arteta is mindful of even the smallest detail which isn’t such a bad thing methinks. Coming to london is meant to be a daunting task for our rivals and not just a walk in the park or a day out to the likes of Disney World or Thorpe Park. I expect eventually he will have the success he deserves as a manager whether that’s with us or with a team (and supporters) somewhere else. COYG
Some of the changes such as removing the covering over the tunnel were always going to be hostages to fortune – and so they’ve proved, unfortunately.
While I applaud Arsenal’s aim of trying to create a more intimidating atmosphere at The Emirates, removing a plastic covering is a somewhat unlikely “fix” but time will tell, I guess.
I think we’ll have to acknowledge that Arsenal will not be able to re-create (quickly, anyway) the effect on players by, say, walking out under Bill Shankly’s famous “This is Anfield” sign at Liverpool, to be met with the equally famous Anfield roar. That’s something which evolved over the years and which was driven, in quite large part, by Shankly’s unique personality and attachment to the Liverpool fans.
They also had the foresight to have the most fantastic anthem courtesy of Carousel via Gerry and the Pacemakers. It makes me well up when I hear it
Maybe in time North London Forever will catch on a bit more and get played as loud as possible too
True. It must surely be the best anthem in football.
North London Forever certainly doesn’t have the “pedigree” of that famous Carousel tune which appealed to the middle-aged (in the early 1960s) Liverpool fans and Gerry helped with the younger ones. Great timing.
I’ve already given my thoughts on the removing of the cover in another post. I laughed at it then, and I’m still laughing now. OH my sides are hurting. 🤣😂🙄🤦♂️🤷♂️