Every new Premier League season comes with fresh signings, tactical shifts, and sometimes, unexpected tweaks to the stadium atmosphere.
At Arsenal, it’s not just the players who are getting a shake-up — the Emirates Stadium has had a small but noticeable change that’s already dividing opinion among fans.
Big Summer Moves on the Pitch
Mikel Arteta’s team has spent the last three seasons finishing just short of the title, settling for second place each time.
Determined to break that cycle, the club has made serious investments this summer.
New arrivals include £64 million striker Viktor Gyokeres, as well as Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The goal? Finally turning those near-misses into silverware.
A Subtle Tunnel Change
While most eyes have been on transfers, something else has caught fans’ attention — a subtle alteration to the players’ tunnel at the Emirates.
Traditionally, players would emerge from a tunnel covered by an outer shield before stepping onto the pitch.
But in recent pre-season home games against Villarreal and Athletic Club, that cover was gone.
Arteta’s Reasoning
Reports suggest the change came at Arteta’s request.
The thinking is that removing the cover allows players to soak in the crowd’s noise and energy as they walk out, potentially creating a more intimidating environment for visiting teams.
Without the barrier, the roar of the Emirates could hit players — and their opponents — with full force right from the start.
Rival Fans Call It a “Gimmick”
Not everyone is convinced. Supporters of rival clubs were quick to poke fun, labelling the move yet another one of Arteta’s “gimmicks.”
They pointed to his past unconventional methods, such as training to Liverpool’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” before facing them at Anfield, hiring pickpockets to test his players’ alertness, and keeping a dog named “Win” at the training ground for motivation.
He’s even used props like lightbulbs in team talks to spark “energy” and “electricity,” and once had the club’s photographer give a pre-match speech before a North London Derby.
Social Media Banter
The change triggered a wave of sarcastic comments online.
One Liverpool fan listed all of Arteta’s past quirks and joked that he was “football’s David Brent.”
Another mocked, “All these just to finish 2nd again,” while a third urged, “Just win trophies instead of these gymnastics gimmicks.”
Some Arsenal Fans Approve
Not all reactions were negative.
Many Arsenal supporters actually liked the cleaner, more open look of the tunnel.
One fan called it “the ugliest thing at the Emirates” and said they were glad to see it gone.
Another defended the move, saying it’s not even a bad idea and wondering why people were overreacting.
What’s Next for the Gunners?
Arsenal won’t showcase the new tunnel setup in a competitive match just yet.
They open their Premier League campaign away at Manchester United this Sunday before hosting Leeds on August 23.
By then, fans will be watching closely — not just for the football, but to see if this small change really does give the Gunners that extra edge they’ve been searching for.