If you've ever stood in the stands at the Emirates or watched a home game on TV, you know that a great arsenal announcer script is about way more than just reading names off a sheet of paper. It's the heartbeat of the stadium. It's that crackle in the air right before kick-off, the dramatic pause before a goal scorer's name is revealed, and the steady hand that guides 60,000 screaming fans through ninety minutes of tension.
Writing or performing one of these scripts isn't about being a robot. You've got to channel that specific North London energy—a mix of high-class tradition and absolute, unbridled passion. Whether you're a content creator looking to recreate the matchday vibe or an aspiring PA announcer, getting the flow right is everything.
Setting the Scene: The Pre-Match Warmup
The script doesn't start when the whistle blows; it starts the moment fans begin trickling through the turnstiles. At Arsenal, the pre-match announcements serve two purposes: providing necessary info and building the "London Is Red" atmosphere.
A typical intro might look something like this:
"Good afternoon, everyone, and a very warm welcome to the Emirates Stadium for today's Premier League clash!"
Notice the tone. It's welcoming but authoritative. You aren't just a guy with a mic; you're the master of ceremonies. You'll usually follow this up with the standard safety bits—where the exits are, no smoking, the usual—but you keep it snappy. Nobody's here for a safety lecture; they're here for the football.
Around twenty minutes before kick-off, the arsenal announcer script really starts to ramp up. This is when the "North London Forever" vibes kick in. You might hear something like:
"As we build toward kick-off, please join us in welcoming today's visitors" (A polite, if slightly muted, introduction of the away team).
Then, the shift happens. The music gets louder, the bass kicks in, and it's time for the home side.
The Starting XI: Where Cadence Is King
This is the part of the script every fan knows by heart. At the Emirates, the announcer doesn't just read the full name of every player. There's a specific rhythm. Usually, the announcer shouts the first name, and the crowd roars the surname.
If you're writing your own version, you have to account for that "call and response" gap.
Example script for the lineup:
"And now, for your Arsenal! Leading the team out today"
"In goal, number 22, David" (Pause for the crowd to shout RAYA)
"Number 4, Ben" (Pause for WHITE)
"Number 2, William" (Pause for SALIBA)
It goes on like that through the whole squad. The key here isn't just the words; it's the timing. If you move too fast, the crowd can't keep up. If you move too slow, the energy dies. You've got to feel the pulse of the stadium. When you reach the captain or a fan favorite like Bukayo Saka or Martin Ødegaard, you might give it an extra beat of emphasis.
The Moment of Glory: Goal Announcements
There is nothing quite like the "Goal Scorer" section of an arsenal announcer script. When the ball hits the back of the net and the stadium erupts, the announcer has to wait for the initial roar to subside just enough so they can be heard, but not so long that the moment passes.
The script usually follows a legendary template:
"Scorer for Arsenal Number 29 Kai" (Wait for the roar) "HAVERTZ!"
A lot of the time, the announcer will repeat the surname two or three times if it's a massive goal, like a North London Derby winner. It sounds like: "Kai HAVERTZ! Kai HAVERTZ!"
It's simple, but it's incredibly effective. It turns a single goal into a shared celebration between the voice of the club and the fans in the North Bank and the Clock End.
Managing the Match: Substitutions and Extra Time
Not everything in the script is about glory. You've also got to handle the logistics. Substitutions need to be clear so the fans know who to applaud and who to welcome.
"A substitution for Arsenal. Leaving the field, number 11, Gabriel Martinelli. And replacing him, number 19, Leandro Trossard."
It's functional, sure, but the way you say it matters. If the player leaving the pitch had a blinder, you give them a second to soak up the applause. If the game is tight and we need a spark, you inject a bit of "let's go" energy into the incoming player's name.
Then there's the added time announcement. This usually happens right at the 90-minute mark.
"The fourth official has indicated a minimum of five minutes of added time."
In a close game, this announcement can trigger either a groan or a massive roar of encouragement. The announcer's job is to stay neutral here but keep the volume high enough to be heard over the tension.
Handling the Away Team
Let's be honest: being the away team at the Emirates isn't the most welcoming experience, but the announcer has to keep things professional. When the opposition scores (heaven forbid), the script is usually much more subdued.
"Goal for the visitors, scored by number 9"
No pauses for the crowd, no shouting the name three times. You just get the information out and move on as quickly as possible. It's a subtle bit of "home field advantage" that's written into the very fabric of how the stadium operates.
The Final Whistle and Heading Home
Once the game is over, the arsenal announcer script needs to wrap things up regardless of the result. If it's a win, the tone is jubilant. You might announce the Man of the Match or remind fans to stick around for a lap of appreciation if it's the end of the season.
"Thank you for your fantastic support today. Please travel home safely, and we look forward to seeing you back here soon. Come on you Gunners!"
It's that "Come on you Gunners" (COYG) at the end that really seals the deal. It reminds everyone that while the announcer is a professional, they're a fan at heart too.
Tips for Nailing the Arsenal Voice
If you're trying to perform or write this yourself, here are a few things to keep in mind to make it sound authentic:
- Embrace the "Staccato": Don't mumble. Every word needs to be sharp. In a massive stadium, echoes can eat your words, so you need to be punchy.
- The "Emirates Pause": This is the most important part of the arsenal announcer script. You have to leave room for the fans. You aren't the star; the fans and the players are. You're just the guy handing them the cue cards.
- Watch the Pitch: Your voice shouldn't just stay at one level. Start lower and more formal for the pre-match stuff, then go higher and more energetic for the goals.
- Know the Names: Nothing ruins a script faster than mispronouncing a player's name. "Jakub Kiwior" or "Takehiro Tomiyasu" shouldn't trip you up. Practice the phonetics until they're second nature.
Why the Script Matters
You might think, "It's just someone talking over a PA system," but it's actually a huge part of the branding. Think about how iconic the "voice" of Highbury was, or how Peter Kyere carries that mantle now. When fans hear that specific cadence, they know they're home.
A good arsenal announcer script bridges the gap between the corporate side of a massive global club and the grassroots feeling of a local community. It's the soundtrack to some of the best (and sometimes most stressful) moments of a fan's life.
So, next time you're watching a game, listen closely to the man on the mic. There's a lot of craft going into those short bursts of speech. It's about timing, respect for the game, and a whole lot of love for the red and white. Whether you're writing a script for a fan project or just practicing your "GOAL!" shout in the shower, remember that at the Emirates, it's all about the connection with the North London faithful.