MX23RW : Monday, December 23 04:28:51| >> :120:16247:16247:
[monks data]
Arsenal logo
Europa League | Group Stage
Dec 3, 2020 at 8pm UK
Emirates Stadium

Arsenal
4 - 1
Rapid Vienna

Lacazette (10'), Mari (18'), Nketiah (44'), Smith Rowe (66')
Elneny (42'), Mustafi (61')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Kitagawa (47')
Ullmann (39'), Sonnleitner (79')

Ainsley Maitland-Niles opens up on return of supporters

The Gunners beat Rapid Vienna 4-1 on Thursday in front of 2,000 fans at the Emirates Stadium.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles believes Arsenal have their 12th man back after supporters returned to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since March.

Two-thousand fans were present for the routine 4-1 Europa League win over Rapid Vienna as Government regulations allowed spectators at elite sport once again.

Not since a 1-0 victory over West Ham nine months ago had Arsenal's 60,260-seater home been able to play host to supporters as last season ground to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Arsenal played in front of 2,000 supporters at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
Arsenal played in front of 2,000 supporters at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday (Adam Davy/PA)

The Gunners were able to welcome back a small number for Thursday's victory, which secured top-spot in Group B for Mikel Arteta's side, and Maitland-Niles is keen for more to be allowed in when the time comes.

"It was the icing on the cake," he said.

"We said before the game to have fun, enjoy the game, the moments and have a good feel for it.

"We waited a long time but it is a great feeling to have them back, it was only two-thousand but we hope for more, it will come eventually.

"It is just great to have that sound back, that atmosphere, that is our 12th man so it was great to have the fans back."

Maitland-Niles started the game in midfield and enjoyed a good evening as goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Pablo Mari, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe saw Arsenal maintain a perfect start to their Europa League campaign.

The England international had not even made the bench for the Premier League defeat to Wolves four days earlier as Arteta changed his entire starting XI.

Having been convinced to stay at the Emirates Stadium following a fine end to last season, Maitland-Niles admits he needed a strong showing against Vienna as he looks to re-establish himself in the first team.

"Yes of course," he replied when asked if he had a point to prove.

"Every game is a point to prove for everyone in the team but for me of course I had a point to prove and hopefully the manager was pleased with my performance.

Maitland-Niles will be keen to add to his five England caps ahead of next summer's European Championship.
Maitland-Niles will be keen to add to his five England caps ahead of next summer's European Championship (Mike Egerton/PA)

"It is about the self-belief, go out and show people what you are made of and prove it in every chance you get.

"Everyone has their moments, their ups and downs but I think on Thursday everybody showed their fight and that they are up for the game at the weekend and it is going to be tough for the manager.

"We need to find our feet and carry on being consistent with winning games, tonight we started that again and now we have to go on."

ID:425020: cacheID:425020:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7651:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Fans back in the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal's Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna on December 3, 2020
Read Next:
Arsenal welcome 2,000 fans back to the Emirates for Rapid Vienna clash
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1AZ00000
2Ajax00000
3Anderlecht00000
4Athletic Bilbao00000
5Besiktas00000
6Bodo/Glimt00000
7Braga00000
8Dynamo Kiev00000
9Frankfurt00000
10Elfsborg00000
11Midtjylland00000
12FC Twente00000
13FCSB00000
14Fenerbahce00000
15Ferencvaros00000
16Galatasaray00000
17Hoffenheim00000
18Lazio00000
19Ludogorets00000
20Lyon00000
21M. Tel Aviv00000
22Malmo00000
23Man Utd00000
24Nice00000
25Olympiacos00000
26PAOK00000
27Porto00000
28Qarabag00000
29Rangers00000
30Real Sociedad00000
31RFS00000
32Roma00000
33Slavia Prague00000
34Spurs00000
35Union SG00000
36Plzen00000


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!