Leeds reduce Arsenal allocation for upcoming league clash | OneFootball

Leeds United have reduced the Arsenal fan allocation for the upcoming Premier League clash between the two sides, due to building work.

Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on November 22, 2020. (Photo by MOLLY DARLINGTON / POOL / AFP)

Arsenal are set to receive more than 200 fewer tickets than initially expected when they travel to Leeds United next month, after their hosts reduced the away end for the fixture.

The Gunners were set to receive 2,913 tickets, but this was reduced to 2,690 in the last 24 hours.

Arsenal Fixture News report that Arsenal have informed them the reason for the reduction is that Leeds are doing some building work in that area of the stadium, on the TV gantry. As a result, capacity is slightly reduced.

If we’re going to be really cynical, it’s rather convenient these works are taking place at the same time as the Arsenal game, after all the media coverage of Leeds’ allocation at the recent Arsenal League Cup fixture.

Arsenal decided not to open the Upper Tier to away fans for the cup tie, citing “persistent standing” in the tier the last time they allowed Leeds fans in (during the FA Cup match in 2020).

The club instead gave Leeds the maximum allocation available in the Lower Tier.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Calum Chambers of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring their side’s first goal during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

There were obviously plenty of disgruntled away supporters about losing the Upper Tier seats for something as commonplace as standing.

If works have to be done at Elland Road, that’s just how it is, but I’m sure there will be a few Leeds fans ready to paint this as an act of revenge.