Manchester City introduces new Etihad Stadium measures ahead of Arsenal visit
Following recent incidences of crowd disturbance at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City will implement several new safety measures for Arsenal’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup victories against Liverpool and Chelsea, respectively, were marred by incidents of crowd disturbance in the Etihad Stadium’s South Stand, as Manchester City fans questioned the club’s decision to house away supporters in the top two divisions.
In December, a 15-year-old City fan had to have her head sewn back together after being hit by a pint cup ‘weighted down with pennies’ hurled by traveling Liverpool fans.
A City fan was also hit by a missile fired by a Chelsea fan earlier this month, as the Blues progressed to the fourth round against current Premier League leaders Arsenal.
According to a fresh MEN report, the highest two tiers of the South Stand will still seat the 7,800 Gunners fans who go to East Manchester on Friday night after the Safety Advisory Group found it the safest layout.
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However, Simon Bajkowksi disclosed that the club has implemented a number of new safeguards in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the prior situation ahead of Friday’s FA Cup match.
Additional measures will include covers over the first four rows of seats in the second tier, extra stewards, and paper cups replacing plastic cups for those sections.
The Premier League’s top two teams will meet for the first time this season in the FA Cup on Friday, with City and Arsenal not meeting in the league until next month.
Arsenal’s sole win in the last 13 encounters between the two sides came in the FA Cup in 2020, with Mikel Arteta’s side winless in their last five meetings with the Blues.
City destroyed Chelsea to advance to the fourth round, while Arsenal easily defeated Oxford United of League One.
