Mikel Arteta is backing Arsenal pre-match change to North London Forever and player name calls

Fans who have been privileged enough to be inside the Emirates Stadium in the last few weeks might have noticed some changes to the pre-match and in-game sounds coming through the speakers. Those who attend games will be very familiar with the way in which the club build-up to games but for those that aren’t a lot of the energy is the responsibility of more than just the supporters.

Both the stadium announcer Peter Mujuzi and pitch side presenter Nigel Mitchell have noticeably changed certain aspects of the pre-match protocol. Mitchell has the last word pitch side before kick-off and gets the crowd going with a "Come on you Gunners!"

The words have become more visceral and hearty of late, not that it wasn't energetic before, but there is certainly a real oomph to it alongside a reminder to fans to get in their seats and "Bring the noise!" This is repeated before the second half starts as well, where supporters are still making their way back to their seats.

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Mujuzi is known for his use of WWE Superstar walk-out tracks before the second half but two new aspects have been reintroduced. The line-up announcement with the players out on the field sees only the first names read out in an attempt to get the crowd to chant back the player's surnames – I wonder what will happen if the club sign a "Neymar" or "Fred" who go by just one name.

This happens when a player scores as well, which gets a far more vocal reply. It might take some time but gradually the supporters are starting to respond to it and hopefully, they will buy into it.

The other change is the rendition of Louis Dunford’s Angel (North London Forever) was sung prior to kick-off. Now it has been changed so it is sung just before kick-off and cutting out at the point the game kicks off so that it lingers into the live match.

football.london understands that Mikel Arteta was involved in the discussions surrounding these changes and has backed ideas aimed at helping make the Emirates as intimidating a place for teams to come as possible. Arsenal have wrestled with taglines regarding the atmosphere at the Emirates which stretch back to the "Highbury Library" labels more than two decades ago, but it has certainly improved in the last few seasons while not being perhaps where everyone hopes it can go.

Arsenal have seen sides visit the Emirates from the continent and bring with them some unbelievable away fan performances which have drowned up the 50,000-plus Arsenal supporters at times, even when the result is not going their way – PSG being a good example. The club are always open to methods to try achieve those marginal gains anywhere both on and off the field.

Regarding the North London Forever change, football.london understands that this was in-part inspired by one of the Gunners’ Champions League opponents, Sporting CP. Their rendition of ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra with a change to ‘For My Sporting’ carries on into the game and this became a reference point.

Arteta is often seen turning to the crowd to whip up noise and his players buy into this as well with both Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard regular gesticulators during matches.