Our friends over at Arsenal Independent Supporters Association have asked us to pass on the following to Leeds fans travelling to tomorrow’s game.

Even if you’ve been to Arsenal away before, there have been all sorts of changes implemented since the pandemic.

The club has sent official details and these are below. But from a supporter’s point of view, here’s a brief summary:

1) Arrive Early.

The security checks are making entry quite slow and it can be very chaotic around the stadium close to kick off. (Especially as many people will be coming straight from work, there’ll be many with printed tickets are using this as a chance to visit the Emirates for the first time and who can predict what the tube will be like.) The club suggests an hour early. In the club’s own words: 'The current guideline is that turnstiles will open at 6.15pm but we trying to get the ‘away’ turnstiles open a little earlier on the night to allow plenty of time for access’.

2) Minimise what you carry.

AISA (an Arsenal supporters’ group) lobbied the club when, for the first few games, anything bigger than A5 meant you wouldn’t be allowed in. As a result, they’ve since increased the size to an A4 bag/rucksack but keep it small or expect delays or even be stopped from entering. In the club’s own words: 'There are no ‘left luggage’ facilities at Emirates Stadium. The nearest left luggage facilities are at Kings Cross station. All bags are searched and tagged prior to entry’.

3) Avoid Driving

The main A1 Holloway Road to Highbury is slow at the best of times. Closest roads are closed a couple of hours before.

PLUS - the local authority has imposed road blocks/no entry signs for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods on top of the resident parking, so driving to the stadium is virtually impossible. The circular 'no motor vehicles’ signs (motor bike flying over a car) are also easy to miss. But the fine for passing through them is £130

4) The ‘away’ pub,

The Drayton, opposite the giant ARSENAL letters is closed. There is no away pub any more that we know of. Drinking on the street is banned by the police.

5) The Emirates is CASHLESS so if you want to buy anything inside, you’ll need your credit card.

6) Arsenal also say, 'For any ticketing enquiries on matchday the Box Office is situated next to the Armoury Store on the West side of the Stadium.’ That’s the Holloway Road Tube station side, not the Arsenal tube side; so if you come from the latter, you have cross bridges to the pedestrianised exterior of the stadium and down steps to the ‘west’ side.

7) COVID – mask wearing is more likely to be an issue on public transport than at the stadium. Inside the Emirates, in lifts and toilets they are supposed to be used, but it’s security for those who feel at risk rather than something enforced. If you’ve been vaccinated or have had a negative test, handy to have evidence with you as the club says it is mandated to do spot checks. How often they do it is not clear.

Some official Arsenal guidelines:

https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/documents/Arsenal%20Visiting%20Supporters%20Guide.pdf

https://www.arsenal.com/emirates-stadium/matchday-safety-and-security

https://www.arsenal.com/news/covid-19-certification-faqs