Arsenal fans will be encouraged to create a massive atmosphere as the team bus arrives at the Emirates next week when Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final
Arsenal will make a major change to their pre-match player arrival plans for their second leg UEFA Champions League semi-final with Atletico Madrid. The Gunners secured a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital and are now big favourites to reach their first final in the competition since 2006.
The game in Madrid was preceded by trouble outside the ground. Spanish police were videoed in conflict with supporters with claims that rubber bullets and tear gas had been used from videos shared on social media.
The incidents occurred after the Atletico Madrid team bus was welcomed to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Flares, smoke and chanting created a red haze outside the ground.
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Arsenal were frustrated not to leave the ground with more than just a score draw, having been frustrated in the VAR decision to overturn a penalty given on the field. Mikel Arteta described how he and his team were ‘fuming’ at the call.
The Gunners now have the chance, however, to take the result back to North London and get the job done, reaching a first final in the competition since 2006. To do so, they will need the full might of the Emirates crowd which has provided some amazing nights against the likes of Real Madrid last season, and Bayern Munich and even Atleti during this season’s league phase.
To help, there are plans to emulate the scenes in Madrid regarding how the team bus is welcomed to the ground. Typically, the team bus arrival is something of a non-event, with the tight streets around The Emirates differing from the grand open spaces around The Metropolitano.
It is only once the bus enters the bowels of the stadium, and the players step off they are greeted by a select few supporters, often on an experience day to welcome them with support into the ground. This is expected to be very different next week.
football.london understands there fans will be encouraged to welcome the team bus 17:30 and 18:15 in the Hornsey Road, Bear roundabout, Benwell Road, Queensland Road area to the Emirates Stadium. The hope is to demonstrate both support for the team and provide an intimidating arrival for their opponents.
Mikel Arteta has often worked with the club to try and improve the atmosphere inside the Emirates. What awaits on Tuesday is arguably the biggest game in the stadium’s near-20-year history.
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