Ahead of the new Premier League season, Arsenal fans were greeted with a small but noticeable change at the Emirates Stadium — and it’s already become a talking point across social media.
While the Gunners are pushing hard to end their long wait for a league title, this subtle stadium adjustment has drawn both praise and ridicule.
A Team Desperate to Take the Final Step
After three straight seasons finishing as runners-up, Mikel Arteta’s squad has undergone yet another summer overhaul.
Arsenal splashed out £64 million to sign forward Viktor Gyokeres, with Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also joining the ranks.
The club is clearly making moves to go from ‘almost there’ to champions.
The Tunnel Change Everyone’s Talking About
The tweak in question? The outer cover of the players’ tunnel at the Emirates has been removed.
Previously, players would emerge from under a covered walkway before stepping onto the pitch.
But for the pre-season home friendlies against Villarreal and Athletic Club, the cover was gone — and it wasn’t an accident.
Reports suggest Arteta himself requested the change after noticing that the cover muffled the noise from fans.
Without it, players can now feel the full force of the crowd’s energy as they walk out, potentially intimidating the opposition before the match even starts.
Rival Fans Call It Another “Arteta Gimmick”
While some Arsenal supporters appreciated the fresh, open look, rival fans wasted no time poking fun.
Many called it just another in a long list of Arteta’s unconventional motivational tactics — which have included training to Liverpool’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” before a trip to Anfield, hiring pickpockets to test his players’ alertness, bringing a dog named “Win” to the training ground, and even using a lightbulb in a team talk to symbolise “energy” and “electricity.”
One Liverpool fan summed up their feelings by listing Arteta’s quirks in one breath: “Tunnel cover removed, dog called Win, anthems at training, lightbulbs in team talks, pickpockets at dinners… Football’s David Brent.”
Supporters Split on the Move
Not all feedback was negative. Some Arsenal fans defended the change, pointing out that it actually improves the aesthetics of the stadium.
“I like this decision; this was the ugliest thing at Emirates,” one wrote, while another added: “This looks so much cleaner — why’s he getting roasted for this?”
A Delayed Home Debut for the New Look
The first competitive match with the uncovered tunnel will have to wait.
Arsenal kick off their Premier League campaign away to Manchester United on Sunday before returning to the Emirates on August 23 to face Leeds United.
