AT the request of manager Mikel Arteta, the tunnel at Emirates Stadium has been modified.The aim of the remodelling was reportedly to give his Arsenal team even more of a home advantage — here’s everything we know.GettyThe tunnel at Emirates Stadium used to be covered[/caption]GettyBut it has been modified so players are now exposed top the crowd as they walk onto the field[/caption]GettyThe decision to change the tunnel was made by Mikel Arteta[/caption]Why have Arsenal changed their tunnel?Arsenal have changed their tunnel at Emirates Stadium primarily in an effort to harness the energy of the home crowd and increase the level of intimidation experienced by visiting teams.The most significant modification is the removal of the tunnel’s outer cover, which had previously enclosed the players’ walkout area onto the pitchThis decision was made by Mikel Arteta, who believed the cover muffled the roar of the crowd and made the pre-match experience less daunting for the opposition.The thought behind this alteration is rooted in the idea of “marginal gains” — the accumulation of small advantages to achieve a competitive edge.Arteta and the club’s leadership felt that exposing opponents to the full atmosphere of the Emirates could unsettle them they emerge onto the field.While the tunnel has lost its enclosing cover, Arsenal did install a screen above the walkout area to protect players from any objects that could be thrown from above, ensuring safety remains a priority.Importantly, this screen still allows the sound from supporters to echo through the tunnel entrance, making the match day build-up even more intense for all players involved.The change is not an isolated move — it reflects Arteta’s broader pursuit of innovations designed to secure advantages for the team.Examples include the adoption of a pre-match club anthem and the installation of crowd noise speakers at their training ground.The reaction to this alteration has been mixed, with some Arsenal fans applauding the effort to extract every possible advantage from their home ground. One wrote: “This is cool, but if he’s willing to try anything to give the team an advantage, why not also move the away fans to worse seats? Feels to me like that would have a bigger impact.”On the other hand, some people have mocked the reasoning and sportsmanship behind the modification.A second posted: “Next, he’ll put actual live tigers in the tunnel. All in the name of intimidation, fellas. Totally legal.”Despite the divided opinions, the club remains committed to maximising small margins that could make the difference in tight competitions.Arsenal have changed their tunnel at the Emirates Stadium to remove the muffling effect of the old cover and create a louder, more intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.The move is emblematic of the club’s willingness to pursue every detail that might deliver even the slightest competitive edge on the pitch.