MX23RW : Thursday, July 4 12:24:45| >> :60:370:370:

Mikel Arteta out to make the Emirates a "fortress" as fans return

2,000 Gunners supporters can attend Thursday's Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna.

Mikel Arteta is aiming to turn the Emirates Stadium into a 'fortress' as Arsenal plan to welcome fans back for the first time in nine months.

Sunday's Premier League visit of Wolves will still take place behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But the new tier system and a change in government regulations means 2,000 supporters can attend Thursday's Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna.

There will no doubt be a stampede for the tickets, being sold on a first-come-first-served basis to eligible supporters.

Arteta will be keen to welcome them in on the back of a return to winning ways in the league, having taken just one point from their last two fixtures.

The Gunners also need to end a run of 476 minutes without a Premier League goal from open play – and Arteta is keen for an upturn in form at the Emirates.

Asked if a win over Wolves would kick-start Arsenal's Premier League campaign, Arteta replied: "Yes – after the disappointment result that we had at home, well the last two we had at home, we have to put that right.

"We have to make the Emirates a fortress. It's a completely different feeling playing at home with our without fans, it's not the same but it's what we have at the moment and we need a win on Sunday for sure."

Arsenal's preparations for the game suffered a minor hiccup when their flight back from Norway on Thursday night was delayed due to fog.

Having initially planned to fly home straight after their Europa League win over Molde, players and staff stayed overnight before flying into Luton and heading to Friday training as originally planned.

The victory in Norway secured Arsenal's progression into the knockout stages, with their free-scoring form at odds with their current domestic run.

"In the Europa we find ourselves with more flow and more creativity in the final third, I would say," Arteta said when asked to explain the difference.

Nicolas Pepe's goal against Sheffield United on October 4 was the last time Arsenal scored from open play in the Premier League.
Nicolas Pepe's goal against Sheffield United on October 4 was the last time Arsenal scored from open play in the Premier League. (Clive Rose/PA)

"More 'Let's go for it, and let's express ourselves'. Obviously the opponent is not the same but it's something to look at.

"It's true that in the Premier League the teams are winning the games by very small margins apart from one or two.

"We've been competing in all the games apart from the last 25 minutes against Aston Villa and at the end the boxes are defining what we do in games.

"It's true that in the opposition box we haven't been as ruthless and resilient as we have to be. We have paid for that with some results.

"We try to encourage them to play with that freedom. We have a lot of rotation, some because of injuries, some because of their performances.

"We have played some big teams in the first nine games. That is something we obviously have to improve, and we are trying to improve."

ID:424082: cacheID:424082:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7155:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo pictured in August 2020
Read Next:
Nuno Espirito Santo not underestimating Arsenal despite travel problems
>
Read more about Mikel Arteta Football
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!