Arsenal are preparing to host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in one of the biggest matches of the season, with the home crowd expecting a massive atmosphere.
The Gunners and Red Devils have had some feisty rivalries over the years but since the mid-2000s, each side’s dominance has often coincided with the other’s downfall.
It means those gruesome clashes of the Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson era haven’t quite made a comeback with the same sort of edge.
That may change with Ruben Amorim’s appointment, though it remains to be seen if he can restore the bite in the rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United.
Heading into the match, Mikel Arteta has noticed something about the Emirates Stadium atmosphere and Arsenal fans that could spell bad news for United.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta gives Arsenal injury update for Man United with Partey, Gabriel and Merino latest
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal fans and Emirates Stadium atmosphere
One thing that Mikel Arteta wanted out of the Emirates Stadium when he came into the job as Arsenal manager was a change in atmosphere.
Years of negativity and poor performances spiralled into a tough situation where the players wouldn’t give anything to the fans and the fans couldn’t spur the players on.
It was a cycle he managed to break after a couple of years in the job, but there were still some tweaks he wanted to make.
A hostile atmosphere was one thing on the agenda, something Arteta believed had been implemented by fans this season ahead of the match with Manchester United.
He told the press: “In certain moments, yeah [fans have made the Emirates Stadium more hostile]. There is still a lot of things we can do and we can still improve.
“We can do it as a team as well, you know, to promote that and how we connect with them [the fans].
“There are a lot of things and we are always discussing about that because it’s changing criteria, it’s changing the age of certain attendants at the Emirates, it’s changing and we have to continually evolve to that to get the best possible atmosphere and experience for our supporters.”
It’s a promising claim from the manager, who has already done so much to restore that faith from the fans, but is clearly looking to give that little bit extra.
If that helps spur the team on, especially against a big opponent like Manchester United, then it will pay dividends.
Arsenal plans to expand the Emirates Stadium capacity for tickets
One thing on the mind of Arsenal fans is whether more tickets will be available to watch their beloved team at the Emirates Stadium over the course of the season.
Now that may be possible, as recent reports claim that Arsenal could expand their stadium to a capacity of up to 80,000.
Whether that is possible, it remains to be seen, especially given the increased strain it would put on the local public transport.
Arteta refused to comment on the possible expansion in his pre-Man United press conference, stating the club would comment in due course if any changes were coming.
However, more fans in the stadium could prove to be a huge move, it’s no surprise the rest of the big six clubs have at least looked, if not acted upon, possible stadium changes.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
