Finally Back in Stadium: Arsenal are First EPL Team in London to Host Fans Since March
By: Absalom Mulama
Posted on Friday, December 4, 2020
Arsenal become the first Premier League Club in London to welcome back fans since UK banned public gatherings back in March. The Gunners appeared rejuvinated as they had about 2000 fans witnessing their win in last night’s Europa League match against Austrian club Rapid Wien at the Emirates Stadium.
Boris Johnson, the UK Prime Minister had on November 23rd announced that the government will allow a controlled number of fans back to stadiums from December 3rd to watch England’s most popular sport, football. The UK government introduced a ‘three tier system’ that will help to gradually bring the fans back into stadiums.
The Prime Minister explained that outdoor venues located in Tier 1 areas (lowest risk) will be allowed to host 4,000 spectators or fill 50% of their capacity (whichever is lower).
Outdoor venues in Tier 2 (low risk) areas will be able to welcome 2,000 spectators or 50% of their capacity back into their stadiums. Under the new rules, areas in Tier 3 (high risk) will still be forced to play behind closed doors.
Speaking at parliament, Johnson said, "In Tier 1 and Tier 2 spectator sports and business events will be free to resume inside and outside with capacity limits and social distancing providing more consistencies with theatres and concerts."
Since London and Liverpool fall under tier 2 areas, the gradual process begins with football clubs based there. On the other hand, football clubs in Manchester have to wait longer as the government classified it as one of the high risk areas.
The Emirates Stadium went cashless as an effort to observe the corona virus pandemic precautions. The cashless system is an effort to minimize the exchange of physical money and avoid risk of contamination.
Some Arsenal fans were therefore gifted with a live viewing of the much needed win, at their home turf. Mikel Arteta’s squad beat (4-1) Rapid Wien and managed to maintain a perfect four wins out of four games so far in Group B. Arsenal are now sure to qualify for the round-of-16 stage of the Europa league competition, with 12 points after just four games, with two more games to go.
Back in the English Premier League however, they are struggling with three losses in a row at home. They are currently sitting at 14th in the Premier League table with just 13 points from their opening 10 fixtures; which is their lowest ever tally in this competition.
The Gunners next face their fierce rivals and neighbours Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 6th December in a must win derby at Tottenham’s new stadium. Fans will also be allowed into this match and England’s third largest stadium is sure to be a passionate and heated environment on Sunday evening.
