Arsenal and Manchester City fans given unique camera angle for Emirates battle this month | OneFootball

Viewers of Arsenal against Manchester City in the Premier League later this month will be treated to a unique camera angle from the Emirates Stadium.

The fixture, already one of the most fiercely anticipated contests in the English football calendar, will carry added intrigue beyond just the tactical battle between Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola this time around.

With new broadcasting innovations being rolled out across the division, fans will soon have the chance to experience the game from a perspective usually reserved for those at the centre of the action.

Last season’s meetings between the two sides were anything but short of drama, with accusations, late goals, and heated post-match debates all dominating headlines, with Pep Guardiola’s men accusing their title rivals of employing time-wasting tactics.

Defensive duo Kyle Walker and John Stones were particularly vocal about Arsenal’s so-called “dark arts”, while the fallout even extended to the Etihad Stadium tunnel, where the former confronted match referee Michael Oliver.

Further reports later revealed how Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly was booked for unsporting behaviour after appearing to relay a message to goalkeeper David Raya from behind his own goal line, with Arteta seizing the ensuing stoppage to organise his side.

In the end, Manchester City salvaged a 98th-minute equaliser, but tensions from that match ensured this fixture carries even more weight heading into the new season.

As revealed by MailSport’s Mike Keegan, ‘ref cam’ is to be used at the Emirates Stadium later this month for the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester City, offering the unique view to those watching the contest on television.

It is detailed that the English top-flight have been working in conjunction with the PGMOL in testing the new broadcasting system which sees referees wear a camera on their shirts, along with an ear-piece and a microphone.

The technology could prove a fascinating addition to one of the league’s most fiercely contested rivalries, particularly given the controversies that have marred past encounters.

Being able to see and hear refereeing decisions from the official’s perspective could provide greater transparency for supporters, while broadcasters are likely to welcome the opportunity for added drama and analysis.

However, questions will inevitably be raised about whether such innovations put referees under even greater pressure in matches already under an intense microscope. Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have both had run-ins with officials in the past, and the added scrutiny of ‘ref cam’ could heighten the stakes further.