Another change overseen by Arteta is the atmosphere inside Emirates Stadium. At the start of his reign, following years of frustration under Unai Emery and Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal faithful were often quick to make their feelings known when things were not going right on the pitch.
Fast forward to 2023 and matchdays at Emirates Stadium couldn't be more different. Fans are enjoying watching Arsenal play football again and they have helped create some incredible atmospheres over the past 12 months, helping the Gunners go on an unlikely title charge last season which ensured Champions League football returned for this campaign.
"It is lifting us," Arteta said in May 2022 when asked how important he thought the fans have been to results on the pitch. "That chemistry and that connection is growing every single week, and you can sense that the players certainly do it.
"They talk about the difference that it makes to play in the stadium, but even when we are away from home the incredible support that we get. That was something that we were missing in the last two years, we discussed that many, many times. In my opinion that is the game changer, it’s their energy and their emotions towards the team that is really contagious."
The introduction of Louis Dunford's 'The Angel' has added a warm touch to the matchday experience for supporters. The song was played for the first time in May 2022 after going viral online and is now blasted around the Emirates Stadium just minutes before kick-off.
The chorus of the popular song reads: 'North London forever. Whatever the weather, these streets are our own. And my heart will leave you, never. My blood will forever run through the stone."
The song has helped create an incredible atmosphere at Arsenal's home ground, so much so that it has now been compared to Anfield. You'll Never Walk Alone rings around Liverpool's stadium before every home match and the crowd are often described as the Reds' 12th man.Making the claim that Emirates Stadium is now like Anfield, former Arsenal star David O'Leary told The Telegraph: "I have never, since I have been at the club, seen a better atmosphere. Yes, it was a flukey goal… but it was the first time in a while against Manchester City that I felt confident of getting a victory. The goal came at the right time and was the icing on the cake. It was like a concert atmosphere at the end.”
Ahead of the Man City game on Sunday, O’Leary left the directors’ lounge around 10 minutes before kick-off so that he could get to his seat in good time to experience the pre-match atmosphere. “For all the years going to Anfield, there was nothing better than going beforehand to hear the song when the players came out - that’s been created now at Arsenal," he said
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