Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal fans to turn the Emirates Stadium into one of the most intimidating grounds in the Premier League to give his side an edge in the title race.
Arsenal host Manchester City in a huge top-of-the table clash tonight and Arteta believes a hostile home atmosphere is crucial if the Gunners are to become a major force again.
Arsenal are unbeaten at home in the League this season and can pull six points clear of their title rivals with a win.
Arteta believes a good home record will be imperative to the Gunners winning their first title since 2004 and has asked supporters to greet City into a cauldron of noise.
“For me that is one of the things you have to have if you want to be challenging for big, big trophies,” he said.
“Your home record, and your place has to be somewhere people don’t want to come.
“The atmosphere we are generating at the Emirates is incredible. The players are talking about it, and it makes it very special to be part of it.”
Arsenal have worked hard to improve the atmosphere at home, examining what other clubs do and holding discussions with their own supporters about what to change.
Arteta, who spent five years as a player at Arsenal, has noticed the difference and believes it is a big reason why the Gunners are currently three points clear of City, with a game in hand.
“It (the atmosphere) is different,” he said. “Probably because sometimes you are on the pitch instead of on the bench, and it feels different.
“But as well, a lot of things have happened - the way you get received at the stadium when you come in, the noise, the song that we have before the game, all the banners. The connection, you feel it. It is different.
“We’ll play with 15 players tonight! They (the fans) are so into it with every single ball and giving us energy and support, and basically everything they have been doing. Let’s enjoy it, a beautiful night on a really special day.”
Arsenal go into tonight’s match having stuttered for the first time this season. They have failed to win any of their last three games in all competitions and City can leapfrog them into first place if they win at Emirates Stadium.
Arteta’s young side have never been involved in a title race and some are questioning if they will be able to handle the pressure as the business end of the season nears.
City, in contrast, have won four of the last five titles and boast a side full of serial winners.
“We are comparing two very different teams,” said Arteta.
“One with huge experience of doing that and a lot of our players have never done it. We want to use that energy and that anger that we have inside to make the most out of it.”
Arsenal’s anger is born out of the fact they could have been going into tonight’s game with a five-point lead, but VAR official Lee Mason missed an offside call that allowed Brentford to claim a 1-1 draw last Saturday.
Arteta had “huge anger and disappointment” after the incident, but he is now using it as a motivation tool.
“That was the reaction straight away from everybody,” he said. “Don’t use it as an excuse. Try to move on, face it and go for it.”
