Arsenal to seek fan opinion on prospect of safe standing at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal are planning to survey supporters as they look at the possibility of introducing safe standing at the Emirates Stadium.

A pilot scheme, organised by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, was launched in January and five teams (Cardiff City, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham) are trialling it until the end of the season.

Arsenal are looking at the possibility of having safe standing in the future and the club’s venue director, Tom McCann, is working with a subgroup of fans on the topic.

The club plan to canvass opinion among match-going supporters to gain their views and also to explain the possible issues around implementing safe standing.

At the Emirates, it could only be introduced in the lower tier due to the upper part of the stadium being too steep.

There are also other factors to consider, such as having to move fans from their usual seats if a designated safe standing area was implemented.

Arsenal, however, are actively looking at the situation after supporters asked for the club to assess the viability of having safe standing.

The matter was discussed at the most recent fans forum meeting and McCann regularly meets with supporters to update them on the process.

Those taking part in the current trial are expected to feedback to the SGSA about how the process has been so far.

Other clubs have been impressed by the trial and Brentford have announced plans to bring it in next season, with a view to converting the entire West Stand and a section in the away end to safe standing areas, having retained a standing end at their former home, Griffin Park, until their move to the Brentford Community Stadium in 2020.

The decision came following a fan survey, which was conducted in December last year, and 89 per cent of supporters who responded indicated their support for the installation of safe standing in the West Stand.

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