What happens if someone is making racist comments or hurling abuse you find offensive, or if several people next to you are standing in the space of a single seat? The usual message at Arsenal is to report your concerns to a steward. But what if you feel threatened or worried about the response of the troublemakers? We asked the club this question after some AISA members reported such problems to us. The answer is you don’t need to go to the nearest steward but can go to one in a different area. This way, you are not identified and the person being reprimanded needn’t know where the complaint is coming from. 

AISA raised these issues at a recent Arsenal Safety Group, where the club’s stadium and safety officers met the local authority (Islington Council), local police and supporter representatives (including AISA).  

Stewarding – Arsenal is short of around 300 stewards and is having to supplement in-house teams with agency stewards. It’s not as if the club hasn’t tried to replace them, we were told. A recent recruitment session saw 200 people expected to attend, but only sixty turned up, and of those, thirty were taken on. When asked if it was the level of pay that was deterring applicants, the club told us its rate is amongst the highest in the Premier League (for mainly six hour shifts). But it’s not just Arsenal. Professional football has lost around 30,000 stewards across the last couple of years and cited as causes are the risks of COVID and the abuse received from supporters.

Are you a steward? Or would you like more information on how to become a steward. Please let us know.

Defibrillators: After the recent news concerning both players and supporters suffering heart problems, the group also discussed defibrillators. There are twenty-five, positioned around the stadium for match days. Crowd doctors also carry them. And on non-match days, if staff are made aware of an emergency in or around the stadium, there are defibrillators at Highbury House, Stadium Reception and the Arsenal Hub that can be used.

Policing: It’s planned that local police and supporters’ groups will meet several times in a season, so that policing issues can be raised before and after matches. This way, we will know in advance of any special arrangements being brought in for a specific match and we will be able to pass this information on – and the reasons why.

Supporter behaviour: The club acknowledges there has been a decline in supporter behaviour.

This seems to be an issue across the whole game and the club is actively working on finding solutions at the Emirates. The club also asked us to remind supporters that it is a criminal offence to run on to the pitch. So far, it is has largely been 14-17 year olds and they were all apprehended and have been given a three-year ban from the club.

If you have any safety issues worrying you, we’re happy to put them to the club, whether at the next group session or before. Everyone agrees, the priority is to make the stadium a safe and enjoyable place to visit.

Plans to spruce up the exterior of the Emirates stadium were announced by Vinai Venkatesham (Arsenal CEO) to the Fans’ Forum last night (February 15th).

Top of the list is the stadium roof. Fans won’t need reminding it leaks. Major work is planned to replace it.

Outside, the banners and crests, that are looking faded and showing their age, are to be replaced.

To decide what (or who) will replace the ‘Legends” – images of past players including Patrick Vieira, Tony Adams and David Rocastle – a working group of supporters will be set up. Details of this have yet to be confirmed.

Over the summer, the turnstile card readers will be replaced. The new ones will be easier to use and more responsive. This will make entry into the ground quicker and, it’s hoped, eliminate some of the problems of delays and congestion that have marred a few games this season – most notably Carabao Cup matches.

In the longer term (‘Coming Soon’ is the club’s expression) will be bigger and better screens and the addition of ‘perch spaces’ in communal ‘General Admission’ spaces, so supporters can drink or eat without having to stand.

The plans will involve significant expenditure (the costs weren’t revealed) and also include – but not scheduled in just yet – is another of AISA’s favourite(!) topics, the PA system. It’s recognised that it’s inaudible in some parts of the stadium, so it’s on the list to do – just not yet!

Here is a recording of the AGM

Audio podcast

Videocast from Zoom