Emirates Stadium, Hornsey Road, Photo by Aditya Samani
By Aditya Samani
The Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal FC, brings an electrifying atmosphere to Holloway, London, drawing tens of thousands of fans on match days. Sunday was no exception, with Arsenal Women playing at home against Tottenham Hotspur.
While the stadium hosts around six games per month, the impact on local residents varies: some embrace the energy, while others struggle with the disturbances that come with it.
Residents’ concerns: littering and transport issues
For Sara Davis, a resident of Highbury Hill Road, Highbury, who has lived in the area for the past eight months, match days come with minor inconveniences, particularly underground rail congestion. However, the bigger issue for her is littering on the roads and in front of houses.
“Even though the cleaning staff take immediate action early in the morning, there’s always some leftover dust and rubbish in front of houses,” she said. Empty beer bottles, cigarette butts, and discarded food wrappers are a common sight the morning after a game, making cleanliness a persistent challenge.
Empty beer bottles and cigarette butts in front of a home in Drayton Park. Photo by Aditya Samani
Meanwhile, Marcelo Murtov, a new resident of Drayton Park Road, Highbury, was made aware of potential disturbances before moving in.
“The landlord clearly warned me before I even viewed the place. He said there would be some disturbances on match days, and only if I was okay with that, he would rent it to me,” Murtov explained.
Despite these issues, some residents enjoy living near the stadium, appreciating the atmosphere and the excitement of hearing the cheers of thousands of fans celebrating goals. However, for others, the noise, littering, and crowds are a cause for concern, making it a mixed experience depending on individual preferences.
Security efforts vs. ongoing issues
Drayton Park Road serves as an exit route for football fans heading to Arsenal Underground Station. This has led to occasional incidents of anti-social behaviour.
Nirali Dodle, a security steward who works on event days at Emirates Stadium, said she is often deployed in residential areas to prevent disturbances.
Despite these efforts, she admitted that issues still arise. “We still see cases of littering and even people urinating near houses,” she said.
While the Emirates Stadium team continues efforts to manage crowds, they are not always successful. These disturbances may also impact prospective tenants considering the area.
Arsenal Station: The gateway for Gunners fans on match days. Photo by Aditya Samani
Living near the Emirates Stadium: A mixed experience
For some, living near the Emirates Stadium is a privilege rather than a disturbance. Krasimir Ivanov, a Bulgarian resident and football enthusiast, embraces the experience wholeheartedly.
“I don’t find match days disturbing at all. In fact, I can hear the goal celebrations even before I see them on TV,” he said. “Sometimes, I even feel happy to be living here.”
Meanwhile, Hugo Benjamin, a frequent visitor to the stadium, admires how well match-day operations are managed.
“The Emirates is such a premium stadium, and we love coming here for matches every time,” he said. “I always wonder how the stadium team manages such huge crowds while preventing antisocial behavior in nearby residential areas.
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