Arsenal have confirmed that 2,000 supporters will be in attendance for next week’s Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna.
The government outlined plans for the return of fans to sporting fixtures last week with capacities linked to the Covid-status of each region.
When existing national restrictions come to an end on Tuesday, London is set to be in Tier 2 – the middle tier, which allows for stadiums to be 50 per cent full or an overall capacity of 2,000; whichever number is smaller.
If London’s infection rate continues to drop and the capital is added to the Tier 1 list, the capacity could increase to 4,000 fans. Conversely, if things get worse and the city is categorised as Tier 3, games will be played behind closed doors again.
Obviously, 2,000 fans in a stadium built to hold 60,000 will make for a very different matchday experience but it’s a start on the long road to normality being restored.
Arsenal had hoped fans would return in October for the Premier League clash with Sheffield United but those plans were parked as virus infections started rising nationwide.
In September, season ticket holders were asked to make an ‘Initial Payment’ to secure automatic entry into ballots for every home game across all competitions. For the moment, this process remains mothballed but will soon come into play.
Due to the short notice, for the Rapid Vienna game only, tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to Gold and Premium members who made the aforementioned ‘Initial Payment’. They go on sale on Saturday morning. Click here for more details.
Arsenal haven’t played in front of home fans since Alex Lacazette’s late winner secured a 1-0 win over West Ham United in March, more than 260 days ago.
With 2000 fans, I think Arteta might have second thoughts about missing them. If we have another flat performance I am sure he will hear every thing those fans are saying. Lets hope the fans can behave and our players keep their cool.
I reckon your right about that. Although most of the higher their fans are seasoned and most probably respectable peopele, they will also most likely have a strong view point and I hope they make their views clear; ie uba playing central and young bodie to support him ie Saka and Martinelli when he returns.
Yes
https://youtu.be/KTE6S-Pmhpw
Bhench 😀😀
I hope it has some of the impact Arteta wants.
Though not sure how they will choose who can go in, the highest priced seats?
will away fans be allowed in to matches?
Because nothing makes more sense that having supporters travel from Austria, or even Southampton, during a pandemic.
Of course, our first league game with fans allowed in will be at the Toilet Bowl. Naturally.
I don’t think that clubs are currently obliged by UEFA to give an away contingent to visiting clubs, so obviously they won’t do that.
But the official attendance would be 60,704
I wonder what kind of improvement, on the Arteta scale, will a couple of thousand fans bring to the team’s performance? Around 3% or so? Every little helps I guess.
Being a little more serious, I hope that he doesn’t bang on again about the lack of fans being a factor really worth mentioning in terms of poor team performance. It is a tad embarrassing, especially as other managers don’t seem to count it as a factor if their teams aren’t playing well.
He was making a general point about how all teams had been affected by the lack of fans. He was not just meaning Arsenal
We bless the name of of the Lord.
Bendtner FTW.
That’s the very good news.