Arsenal: New covid-19 restrictions to allow fans back at Emirates Stadium

The British government provided the latest updates on the restrictions in place for the coronavirus pandemic, revealing plans to allow fans back into stadiums before the end of the season. With Arsenal playing their final Premier League match at home, supporters are on track to be welcomed into the Emirates Stadium.

It comes as part of a four-stage plan laid out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ease restrictions across England, in an effort to rediscover some level of normality. Fans were briefly allowed into stadiums before Christmas, but a spike in COVID-19 cases forced another national lockdown.

Said plan includes four stages, with stage three to grant up to 10,000 fans back in stadia by mid-May, falling in line with the final matchday of the Premier League season. Arsenal host Brighton at the Emirates on May 23rd.

The government’s plans to move England out of lockdown would allow up to 10,000 people, or a quarter of the stadium’s capacity, depending on which is lowest. With the Emirates holding over 60,000, it means the potential is there for Arsenal to have the full amount come to watch Mikel Arteta’s side clinch 11th spot in a nail-biting finale to the season… Ha, ha.

New covid-19 restrictions to allow Arsenal fans back at Emirates Stadium

"“The turnstiles of our sports stadia will once again rotate.” – Boris Johnson (via the BBC)"

Jokes aside, it will mean a great deal to the fanbase, players and club to welcome back supporters. Even if the season is dire, the absence of attending football matches is one of countless activities that are often taken for granted. The like of which have truly hit home during this difficult period.

As for the players, their jobs are obviously well-paid and there is more stress and scrutiny with supporters present, but most who get into the sport do it for the moments to savour in front of their own fans.

On the club’s part, Arsenal are in desperate need of the financial injection that comes from matchday revenue. It has decimated funding for clubs all over the world, prompting wage cuts and redundancies across the board. Taking out a £120m bank loan to offset the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is a route no club wants to head down.

Having a potential date instills hope. Arsenal may be mid-table and out of Europe by that point, or they could be in a final and chasing the top six. It’s something to aim for.