ARSENAL have made four major changes to the Emirates as Mikel Arteta bids to end the club’s two-decade long wait for a Premier League title.
The Gunners were last crowned champions of England during their Invincibles season in 2003/04.
But under Arteta‘s guidance the north London side has enjoyed a resurgence back towards the top of the table.
That has come to the tune of three consecutive runner-up finishes, twice to Manchester City and to Liverpool last season.
However, Arsenal are currently in the driving seat for the title this season and sit four points clear of second placed side Bournemouth, who are in turn a point ahead of Tottenham and Sunderland and two ahead of Man City and Manchester United.
Arteta, 43, is taking every measure possible to try and land that elusive league title, and has included the atmosphere of the Emirates Stadium into his accounting.
STOP GUNS
Arsenal fans beware – horror stats show why Gunners shouldn’t get carried away
CRACKER
Win a Volkswagen Tiguan R plus £5,000 cash from just 18p with our code
The Spanish boss wants fans to “generate the best atmosphere in the world at the Emirates”, although opposition fans have previously dubbed the 60,000 seater ground as a “library” over a perceived lack of noise.
Arteta has made four key changes in the ground to that end, with a keen eye to getting fans actively involved in matches and has pleaded with the Arsenal faithful to arrive early at games to help out.
The first, and most obvious of these, was the removal of the cover from the players’ tunnel in an effort to connect Arsenal players with the fans and try to intimidate the visitors.
When asked about the rationale for the move, Arteta said: “We need to ignite the atmosphere so they can play every single ball with us because it makes such a difference.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
“We want to play and win things. That’s a non-negotiable. You need to have a stadium that is able to create those moments, for sure.”
A pre-match change has also seen the club introduce a fan-led light show before big games, such as Champions League matches including Arsenal’s clash with Atletico Madrid last week.
Before the match, stewards were seen holding QR codes on boards walking around the ground for supporters to scan on their phones and allow them to take part in the light show.
Another change has seen screens inside the stadium concourse not show the game during the second half.
A fan shared a photo on social media of an on-screen message saying the club would not show the match on screens during the second half.
An audio change has also come in this season too.
While appearing on the Call Yourself a Fan podcast, Gunners fan and broadcaster Roman Kemp revealed a chat he had with Arteta revealing his idea to change goal announcements.
Now, when Arsenal score a goal, the stadium announcer shouts the scorer’s first name before pausing to allow fans to chant the scorer’s second name.
This act, a common theme in European football, is repeated three times.
FOOTBALLER GONE
Football League star tragically dies aged just 42 after cancer battle
CHA-CHA-CHAOS
Strictly’s Amber Davies breaks silence after pro Nikita pictured kissing her
Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at home last weekend, while they host Brighton in the Carabao Cup tonight.
But three away fixtures against Burnley, Slavia Prague and Sunderland are on the horizon before the north London derby on November 23.
ARSENAL RATINGS: Gabriel comes to rescue at both ends of the pitch but Zubimendi may never put in a worse display
GABRIEL MAGALHAES rescued Arsenal at both ends of the pitch in their win over Crystal Palace.