David O’Leary says one thing at Arsenal is now better than ever

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Arsenal legend David O’Leary has been impressed by the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium in recent matches.

When Mikel Arteta was appointed Arsenal boss in December 2019, he made it his mission to reconnect the club with its fans. At that point, the relationship with the supporters of the club was strained.

Immediately after taking on the job, the Spanish coach outlined his mission statement: “we need the fans. We need to engage them, we need to be able to transmit with our behaviours, our intentions, what we want to bring to this football club. I think that’s the only way, where we give them a little bit, they give us a little bit, and suddenly we feel that connection.”

Unhappiness with the ownership, the dismal end to Unai Emery’s reign, and lingering issues that remained from the Arsene Wenger era had all conspired to create a fairly toxic atmosphere amongst the fans. The club was divided and seemingly in decline.

It took a while to set things right. Arteta endured tough times, and the club had to show patience with him, and back him when others were calling for his head.

Now, though, Arsenal are a club transformed and looking up once more. Money has been spent to improve the squad – not least in the shape of Declan Rice’s arrival for a club-record fee of £105 million. On top of that, the north London club mounted a genuine title challenge last time out and look well-placed to go one step better this season.

The squad is made up of likeable players and fan favourites. Hale End academy graduates have been given their chance to shine, with Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, and Reiss Nelson all part of the young first team group that Arteta has painstakingly assembled.

The Gunners are now playing attractive football, winning with regularity, and improving rapidly.

Arsenal repair fan connection

All of this has served to repair the relationship with the fans. The supporters have done their bit, too. Players are supported from the stands after making errors, rather than vilified, and attendances for home matches are routinely maxed out.

This has led to a marked improvement in the match day atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium, which is now commonly a raucous, bouncing venue, with the recently-introduced ‘North London Forever’ anthem being chorused before each kick off.

David O’Leary has noticed this evolution. Speaking to The Telegraph, the former centre-back, who is the Gunners’ all-time leading appearance maker, said, “I have never, since I have been at the club, seen a better 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.”

Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy deserve huge credit for the fresh sense of unity they have fostered between the club and the fans.