- Nasima Akter
Arsenal Reveals Reason Behind Clock Photo
After a 3-0 victory over Fulham on Sunday, Arsenal shared a photo of the squad with a replica of the iconic clock that used to grace the top of Highbury’s Clock End stands in the away dressing room at Craven Cottage. The photo left many fans theorizing the meaning behind the clock, and now, an explanation has been released.
As it turns out, the replica is part of a larger initiative that aims to make away dressing rooms feel more like the Emirates Stadium. The Arsenal badge can be seen on the walls, and a poster of the official squad photo was also put up.
This setup is all in the hopes of making the players feel more comfortable in their surroundings and hopefully inspire better performances.
Why the Set Up?
The clock itself has a symbolic significance in Arsenal’s history, and it had graced Highbury for over 70 years before being replaced with a larger replica at the Emirates in 2010.
This creative initiative is the brainchild of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who hopes that the sense of familiarity will give his team an added boost when they are on the road.
And it seems to be working. Arsenal has the best away record in the league this season, with 11 wins, one draw, and two defeats earning them 34 points on the road. This score is a huge improvement from last season, where they had the sixth-best away record in the league with 28 points.
Their latest away victory against Fulham was largely thanks to January signing Leandro Trossard, who assisted all three goals. Arteta was quick to praise the midfielder's contribution, especially given the fact that he had an injury just days prior.
“It makes a big difference in the team. We needed him today and his contribution was superb," Arteta said of Trossard's performance. "He's really clever to understand straight away what we want, what's required. He's executed it really well."
What's Next for Arsenal
While Arsenal has shown great performance so far, the race for the Premier League title is heating up. Arsenal's remaining fixtures include some challenging away games. Mikel Arteta's squad will face Liverpool in April, a team they have struggled against in recent seasons, followed by a trip to West Ham.
But the real test comes on April 26 when they face off against defending champions Manchester City, the only team to win at the Emirates this season. The stakes will be high as this match could determine who takes home the trophy.
Newcastle is also on the horizon, and they will be a difficult team to beat at home. If they are in the running for a top-four finish, it will only add to the challenge. The Gunners lost to Newcastle at St James' Park last season, so they will need to bring their A-game.
The season's penultimate away game sees Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest, who could still be fighting to avoid relegation. This game will be crucial, and the Gunners will need to maintain their excellent away form to secure a victory.
