Arsenal programme: Paul Barber's notes

Welcome back to the American Express Community Stadium for this evening’s Premier League match. We extend our welcome to Mikel Arteta, his staff and players, and the officials and supporters of Arsenal FC. We’re also delighted to once again host the team from Sky Sports, who will be featuring us on a live broadcast for the third time this season.

Our week started in front of the Sky Sports’ cameras too, and a dramatic last-minute equaliser at Selhurst Park served up another great TV moment for Albion fans not able to make the short trip north, as well as many more football fans up and down the country.

For those in the stadium, Neal Maupay’s superb finish in the fifth minute of added time will live long in the memory as our players celebrated wildly in front of our travelling fans, having rescued a point very late on for the second successive season against Crystal Palace – both times having fallen behind to a Wilfried Zaha penalty.

In another tight game that saw the biggest drama outside of normal time in each half, Neal’s lob, following on from a first-time ball forward from Joel Veltman, was a reward for both our resilience and our sheer determination to overcome the setback of injuries to key players, and the usual hostile atmosphere of a derby match away from home.

Today, we face another club with south London roots who are fresh from success in the north London derby. After a slow start, Arsenal’s recent form has been excellent and they come into this evening’s game on the back of three successive league victories, the latest of which was their 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates.

Our Premier League record against Arsenal has been solid, with three wins, two draws, and three defeats in the past four seasons, but we know only too well that this game will be another very tough test of our good early-season form, as the visitors look to build on their own more positive sequence of results.

All things being equal, our former defender Ben White will likely be making his first return to the Amex after a summer spent as part of the England squad at the Euro 2020 tournament, followed by his transfer to Arsenal.

I’m sure Albion fans will give Ben a good reception in his new colours.

As is customary at this time of year, Premier League fixtures pause after this weekend’s matches for the season’s second international break. With the domestic calendar gathering momentum, I know these early-season breaks are frustrating for some fans.

It is, however, also an opportunity for players not called up to play for their countries to rest or recuperate from injuries, and for all of us at the club, it represents a time to grab a short break, to review the season so far, and to regroup for the long winter months ahead.

Post the break, the remainder of October sees us face trips to Carrow Road to play promoted-again Norwich City, and to Anfield, where we enjoyed a famous 1-0 victory against the then-champions Liverpool last season. In between times, we will play current champions Manchester City at the Amex, where we will certainly hope to repeat another of last season’s thrilling wins!

Since my last set of programme notes, we have recorded successive home victories against Leicester City and Swansea City, the latter of which has led us to another fixture against the Foxes when we travel to the King Power Stadium for the Carabao Cup on Wednesday 27 October, kick-off 7.45pm.

Progress in the Carabao Cup provides Graham with the opportunity to give minutes on the pitch to everyone in our squad, and also vital first-team experience for some of our younger emerging players. As was seen for Swansea’s visit, these early-round cup matches are often used for a first visit to the stadium for many young fans which is always great to see.

It’s remarkable that as the country slowly recovers from the pandemic, our season-ticket numbers have now reached their highest ever level. In our fifth successive season in the Premier League, this is testament to the continued loyalty of fans and to the steady growth of the club in all areas. Thank you for your support.

We also hope to build support for our women’s side who have also started the season well, despite the 1-0 reverse against a well organised Aston Villa side last time out. At the time of writing, Hope Powell’s team were preparing to face Charlton Athletic in The FA Cup quarter-final at Crawley Town’s People’s Pension Stadium. We’re hoping a lot of Albion fans were able to get to this game.

Finally, thanks also for your continued patience with, and support for, our COVID checks. Upon request, all supporters are required to be able to show our staff they have had a double vaccination via their digital COVID pass.

Alternatively, you will need to show proof of a negative lateral flow test in the 48 hours leading up to kick-off.

However, if the Government decides to activate what it has described as “Plan B” to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed during the winter months, we are expecting proof of a double vaccination to be mandatory to gain access to large events such as Premier League matches. At this point, we do not expect a negative lateral flow test will be an option for entry to the stadium.

As ever, and through our random checks, the club will continue to do its best to ensure that everyone in the stadium is as safe as possible, while also trying to ensure your entry to our games is as smooth as it can be. We do, however, need everyone to continue to take personal responsibility for their own and others’ health, while providing full co-operation to our staff. Thanks again.

Finally, as you may be aware, October is Black History Month – and we are celebrating this in our matchday programme today and throughout the month at the football club through various activities. People from African and Caribbean backgrounds have been a fundamental part of British, and world, history for centuries, although it would be fair to say that their contribution to society is often overlooked, ignored or even distorted. That’s why it’s important that we share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture in this way, both as a club and as a wider community.

Enjoy the match.

Today's programme is available to purchase at the stadium or online, priced at £3.50.