Arsenal may be sitting four points clear at the top of the Premier League after nine games, but questions still linger about one thing – the atmosphere inside the Emirates Stadium.

Despite their electric football and impressive start, some opposition fans have cheekily dubbed the ground a “library”, highlighting what many perceive as a lack of noise and energy from the stands.

It’s an issue not unique to Arsenal; other ‘big six’ clubs have seen supporters express disappointment online about subdued home crowds. Yet for Arsenal, the conversation feels especially poignant. Expectations have risen under Mikel Arteta, and while results have improved, some feel the emotional connection between team and fans still needs strengthening.

Arteta, who has transformed Arsenal’s on-pitch identity, has long emphasised the importance of the crowd. “We want to generate the best atmosphere in the world at the Emirates,” he said earlier this season. His approach has gone beyond words, influencing almost every detail of the club’s matchday experience.

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The Importance of Fan Connection

Arsenal haven’t lifted the Premier League trophy since 2004 and their last silverware came in 2020 with the FA Cup. For a fanbase hungry for success, the expectations are sky-high.

Arteta understands that the club’s progress cannot solely be measured on tactics and signings – it also depends on how deeply supporters feel connected to their team. Before each match, he now issues messages directly to fans, urging them to arrive early, take their seats, and “play the game with us.”

“Be in your seat with a certain behaviour, with a certain body language,” he said ahead of the recent clash with Crystal Palace, emphasising that emotional energy from the stands can directly influence the players’ performance.

Tunnel Cover Removed – Letting the Noise Flow

One of the most noticeable physical changes at the Emirates this season has been the removal of the tunnel cover. Previously, players emerged shielded from the stands – now, they walk out fully exposed to the roar (or silence) of the crowd.

This adjustment was made to let both Arsenal players and their opponents feel the energy before kick-off. It also brings fans closer to the action, allowing them to interact directly with players through high-fives and cheers as they head out to battle.

“We need to ignite the atmosphere so they can play every single ball with us because it makes such a difference,” said Arteta. “We want to play and win things. That’s non-negotiable. You need to have a stadium that is able to create those moments.”

The move has been well received, creating a more unified and spontaneous connection between supporters and players – something the manager believes is key to sustaining momentum.

Changing the Goal Announcements

Another subtle but symbolic change has come in the form of how goals are celebrated.

Arsenal fan and broadcaster Roman Kemp revealed that Arteta himself played a role in tweaking the way scorers’ names are announced. Speaking on the Call Yourself a Fan podcast, Kemp explained that when he met Arteta on a plane, the manager asked whether fans enjoyed the call-and-response chant after goals.

At the Emirates, the announcer now shouts the scorer’s first name, pausing for the crowd to respond with the surname – repeated three times.

Kemp said Arteta told him this was his idea, as part of creating “micro-moments” that bring players and fans together. The exchange showed just how deeply Arteta thinks about marginal gains, not only on the pitch but in the collective spirit of the stadium.

Lights, Phones and QR Codes – A Modern Matchday Twist

Modern football often experiments with technology, and Arsenal have embraced it in moderation.

The club now stages light shows ahead of major fixtures, especially in Europe. Before the Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid, stewards handed out QR codes that fans could scan on their phones to sync with the pre-match light display.

It may not be to every traditionalist’s taste, but it added a sense of spectacle and unity. When done right, these shared moments of anticipation can amplify noise and energy before kick-off, rather than distract from it.

Encouraging Fans to Focus on the Pitch

Arteta’s philosophy is clear – he wants fans to be fully present in the game. That’s why, during recent matches, the club stopped showing the second half on concourse screens.

At half-time during the Atletico fixture, supporters noticed a message stating that the second half would no longer be broadcast on the internal TVs. The aim was simple: get everyone back in their seats, participating in the game rather than lingering in the food stalls.

It’s another small but meaningful attempt to ensure the Emirates becomes a fortress of noise, not a place of convenience.

A Club-Wide Effort to Reignite the Emirates

Arsenal’s initiatives are the product of collaboration across departments – from marketing and fan engagement to stadium operations and player leadership. The ultimate goal is to foster a deeper bond between supporters and the club’s modern identity.

While these changes are just the beginning, they reflect a broader movement within Arsenal to blend innovation with tradition. The club is also working with fan groups to find new ways of energising matchdays, from song sections to coordinated displays.

The Emirates may have been mocked in the past, but the ambition is clear – to turn it into one of Europe’s most intimidating arenas.

As Arteta put it best: “We want the fans to play every ball with us. Together, we can make the Emirates a place no one wants to come.”