The Emirates Stadium is set to see a new – fan funded – tifo when Arsenal welcome Leicester City to north London this weekend

Arsenal fan group Ashburton Army have announced that a full block display will be brandished at the Emirates Stadium versus Leicester City. While the group, who reside in block 25, haven’t detailed what the tifo will depict, they have asked the home support to back Mikel Arteta for the Gunners’ first home game of the Premier League season.

The Ashburton Army statement reads: “Thank you to all Arsenal supporters who donated, we have prepared a full block display for our first home fixture against Leicester City. In order for the display to be successful, we ask you to: enter the block early to ensure we are all in position for the display as the team enters the ground, please do not wave the material, hold it up tightly to ensure the block sized display can be seen.

“Offer your full participation throughout the full 90 minutes in cheering our team to victory. Finally we ask please do not take home any of the materials and leave it as found to ensure we can use it for future displays. Lets supports Mikel and his team through thick and thin this season, defeat, draw or win.”

Earlier in the year, Vinai Venkatesham and Josh Kroenke hailed Arsenal fans for their support. Speaking at an Arsenal fans’ forum, as quoted by Twitter user @Peterhoest who was able to transcribe quotes from the event, Kroenke said: “The support home and away has been unbelievable. I can feel and hear a whole new level of connection that’s going on around the club. It makes a real difference.”

Venkatesham added: “The one constant this season is that support from the fans has been amazing. Before the season, Mikel and I talked about: how do we get the connection with the fans back? And it feels like it’s really strong at the moment.”

With Arsenal fans ready to brandish a tifo at the weekend, the club are also doing their part to improve the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners’ chief executive said: “We continue the program on investing in the stadium. We’re on track to replace the big screens, and the work on the roof has begun. We’re also working on how to speed up access to the stadium.”