It has been more than three years since 16,000 Arsenal supporters responded to a survey on the potential introduction of safe standing at Emirates Stadium.
The results highlighted a number of challenges for the club. Most striking was the gap between those in favour of safe standing in principle (70%) and those who would actually want to stand in a designated area (40%). There were also clear operational concerns around relocating existing season ticket holders, preventing free movement into standing zones, and the potential impact on the stadium’s overall capacity.
While discussions may have continued behind closed doors, publicly, there has been little to no movement on the issue. It has felt, at times, as though the club hoped the problem might resolve itself, or be overtaken by a broader conversation around a possible renovation or expansion of the Emirates.
Then, earlier this month, came the first real indication that Arsenal would need to confront the situation head on.
Via Twitter, Darren Epstein, the Gold members’ representative on the Fan Advisory Board, revealed that “safe standing [is] being installed in the Clock End lower this summer for use next season”, with plans “to then install safe standing in North Bank lower in summer 2027.”
Arseblog News was subsequently told that the proposed move towards rail seating was driven by safety concerns related to overcrowding.
Since then, the club have confirmed that temporary rail seating will be introduced as early as February’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea. That decision appears to have been accelerated by a suspended £500,000 fine imposed by the FA in October.
Arsenal found themselves in difficulty earlier this year after failing to comply with FA Cup Rule 191, which entitles visiting clubs to 15 per cent of available tickets, up to a maximum of 9,000. When Manchester United visited in the third round, the club issued fewer than 8,000 tickets, all in the lower tier.
Arsenal had faced an awkward choice: relocate a significant number of home season ticket holders – a pain in the arse – or move United supporters into the upper tier, where persistent standing would have earned the wrath of the council’s health and safety officials.
In the end, they took the slap on the wrists. However, with a suspended fine hanging over them, the club have now settled on a temporary solution. Rail seats will be installed in the upper tier, allowing away supporters to be accommodated in a way that satisfies local authorities.
On the ticket page for the upcoming Chelsea game, the club explained:
“For this fixture, we will be implementing safe-standing rails to meet the competition’s required 10% away allocation. 2,000 supporters will be allocated in our designated away end in the lower tier and 4,000 in the upper tier.”
While Chelsea are entitled to only 10 per cent of the stadium’s capacity for this tie, the trial will ensure Arsenal are prepared should they be drawn against a club in the FA Cup seeking the full 9,000-ticket allocation.
Angus Moorat, a member of Arsenal’s Ticketing Forum, relaying a statement from the club, revealed: “This solution limits the impact on our Clock End season ticket holders.”
How the trial plays out remains to be seen. It seems likely that the front rows of the upper tier will be left unused, potentially covered with netting, to prevent objects being thrown towards Club Level seats below.
Anyway, it’s an interesting development. We’ll be curious to see if the club reveal more formal plans for the use of rail seating and what the impact is on home supporters currently holding season tickets in those areas.