Mikel Arteta sends demand to Arsenal fans over waning Emirates Stadium atmosphere

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged supporters to make the Emirates Stadium a more intimidating place to go for opposition sides in the second half of the season.

The atmosphere at the Emirates has often been derided ever since Arsenal made the short move from Highbury in 2006, but that changed last season amid the Gunners' push for a first Premier League title in 19 years.

Rampant home form helped see Arsenal open up a large lead at the top of the table early in the season, but the mood around the Emirates hasn't quite been so positive this year.

Arsenal return home on Sunday for the first time since they were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United over the festive period. At a press conference ahead of their FA Cup third round tie with Liverpool, Arteta was asked if Gunners fans could create an atmosphere as electric as that at Anfield.

"Can we tweak it and make it even more hostile? I think we can," he replied. "That's the next step in my opinion. We have to be so grateful for what we're achieving in our home ground. Sunday is going to be another big one.

"I think the team has to give more. It has to transmit that bite, that aggression, that intimidation and that dominance to the opponent. Certain games this season, and Champions League games, are going to create that next step. That's my feeling."

Following Liverpool's visit on Sunday, Arsenal are currently only scheduled to play three of their next eight games at home.

They welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates on January 20 before Liverpool return to north London in Premier League action on February 4. After a run of three successive away games, Arsenal host Newcastle United on February 24.

Should Arsenal progress to round four of the FA Cup, they could add another home date to their calendar on the final weekend of January.

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