Arsenal’s highly anticipated clash against Manchester City tomorrow is arguably one of the biggest games of this season, and may play a big part in the Premier League title race.
There are plenty of nerves amongst Arsenal fans ahead of the fixture they perhaps dread the most, with the Gunners winless in the league against City since 2015.
Tomorrow looks like the best chance yet to gain a positive result against Pep Guardiola, with key players Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and John Stones absent for the visitors.
Home advantage could play a part, with Jamie Carragher backing Arsenal to win in North London, but the Emirates crowd will need to be at their best to help carry the team to victory.
Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal fans
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta has praised the Arsenal fans this season, claiming that the atmosphere at the Emirates has never been as good as it is right now, and has called on the fans to be at their loudest to support the team.
“I think that we have the best atmosphere ever at the Emirates, and if we can create that then it’s going to be so helpful for the team,” he stated.
“We have moments where we have managed it exceptionally well. Against PSV was a really good example and certain parts against Spurs, but that’s down to us.
“Hopefully the crowd can give us that and that will be a big plus for us.”
The Emirates atmosphere
From my experiences both last season and in this campaign at the Emirates, on balance, the atmosphere was arguably better this time a year ago.
The start of last season saw Arsenal pick up positive results, playing fluid attacking football, whilst there were lower expectations and less pressure on the team.
Arsenal have perhaps become the victims of their own success when it comes to the atmosphere now. Being in a title race has raised the tension in the stadium, and the lack of convincingly heavy victories so far and the lack of clean sheets have raised frustration at times.
The North London Derby saw Arsenal pegged back twice by their biggest rivals, and compared to the victory over them last year, the atmosphere was one of nerves and tension rather than vibrancy.
If Arsenal are to play on the front foot, and avoid the errors at the back that have seen Arteta’s side fail to keep a clean sheet at home, the atmosphere may pick up quickly against City.
The crowd seem to feel the nerves from every misplaced pass or missed shot, and this may play in the players’ heads a bit when trying to keep their composure against a top side.
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