Arsenal will be inviting fans back into the Emirates next week for their game against Manchester City, according to a report from Ben Rumsby in The Telegraph. However, with the team playing in Manchester, it is only for them to watch the game on TV in the stadium’s hospitality areas.
Arsenal, like most clubs across the country, are facing the financial consequences of the pandemic. The absence of match-day revenue in the club’s finances has led to crippling economic consequences. The Gunners were expecting to have fans back earlier this month. However, the government’s decision to cancel these bigger scale trials have led the club to find other ways of making back this lost revenue.
Arsenal Allowing Fans Back into the Emirates
Arsenal’s Safety Measures
The game will be shown live inside the Emirates in two separate hospitality areas. Supporters can arrive an hour before kick-off and must leave 30 minutes after the game. This is to adhere to the strict safety protocols in place. Fans will also have to partake in temperature checks and check-in to the stadium via NHS Track and Trace.
Similarly to pubs across the country, those attending will be asked not to interact with those outside their group of six. Also, supporters will be asked to refrain from singing and cheering loudly.
One would hope that fans entering the stadium and obeying these protocols, as well as the implementation of temperature checks and Track and Trace, will display how many clubs are set up to welcome back supporters safely.
Until then, fans will have to watch their teams from the TV, whether at home or in the ground.
How Much Will it Cost?
As good as being back in the ground sounds, fans will have to pay £49 for the luxury. This, the cheapest ticket (£29 for U16s), allows you to watch the game in the Dial Square restaurant with food and drinks. It also gives you the chance to get a picture with the Community Shield. The Gunners won the trophy in August after beating Liverpool on penalties at Wembley.
There are also opportunities to watch the game in the luxurious WM Club restaurant. However, tickets to book a booth in such will set you back £179 per person. This price grants you with a three-course meal though, as well as a photo with Arsenal’s FA Cup. You’ll also be entitled to a Q&A session with a club legend.
The prospect of fans being allowed back in the ground will excite many, despite the high prices. Arsenal will hope these are a success and continue to put these screenings on until fans will be back in for real, watching the game live from their seats.
Hopefully, this is a step in the right direction and will prove to the government that clubs are able to conduct the safe entering of fans into the ground.
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