ARSENAL welcomed fans back to the Emirates in style as goals from Lacazette, Mori, Smith Rowe and Nketiah gave them an emphatic win over Rapid Vienna.
- Final score: Arsenal 4-1 Rapid Vienna
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THAT’S ALL FOR TONIGHT!
Arsenal are through to the last 32 of the Europa League after thrashing Rapid Vienna 4-1.
The win secures the Gunners as group winners.
Next up for Mikel Arteta’s side is a vital north London derby at Tottenham on Sunday.
Join us on SunSport for more live blogs this coming weekend, there’s plenty of action as the Premier League starts to enter it’s busy Christmas period.
Goodnight!
ARTETA ON SUNDAY’S GAME
“We’ve been really consistent in this competition I think the boys showed great energy, character and aggression today. Right from the beginning you could feel that they were touched from the last defeat and everybody individually played a really good game. Again we were in the final third really aggressive with the ball. We created many chances for goals and probably should have scored more. Now, let’s take that into Sunday a very special game, we’re all looking forward to it and let’s do it again.”
ARSENAL TOUCH MAP
ARTETA ON THE ADVANTAGE CREATED BY HOME FANS
“This sport without fans is completely different. The players lose a bit of purpose and emotion. We are here to entertain and make the fans enjoy. When they are able to transmit that it gets directly to the players.”
MAITLAND-NILES ON THE RETURN OF FANS
“We’ve waited a long time and it’s a great feeling to have them back. That atmosphere and those fans are our 12th man.”
ARTETA ON FANS BEING BACK
“Very special and delighted to have them back. They made a very big contribution. We had 2,000 but it felt like a lot more.”
ARTETA ON LACAZETTE
“He’s played a good game in that position. It suits him. He’s really good at linking play, he worked hard and scored a beautiful goal.”
REACTION FROM ARTETA
“Delighted to have the fans back, they make a huge difference. The performance was very positive right from the start. The boys showed the attitude and desire that is required to play. We created many chances and now we must do it again on Sunday.”
Match summaryArsenal win
Group B after Rapid win
Lacazette stunner opens scoring
Pablo Marí gets second, Nketiah third
Smith Rowe fourth after Kitagawa goal
CALUM CHAMBERS MADE HIS RETURN TONIGHT
A GREAT NIGHT FOR SMITH ROWE
RAPID VIENNA HEAT MAP
ARSENAL HEAT MAP
AVERAGE POSITIONS OF BOTH SIDES
ACTION AREAS
THE GROUP B TABLE
LACAZETTE GAVE THE GUNNERS THE LEAD
PABLO MARI CELERBATES AFTER SCORING ON HIS RETURN
A TREAT FOR THE FANS IN ATTENDANCE
ARESNL HAVE BEEN FLAWLESS IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE
FULL TIME
FT: ARSENAL 4-1 RAPID VIENNA
PEEEEEEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FULL TIME
ARSENAL 4-1 RAPID VIENNA
91. Arsenal still on the attack and toying with Rapid at this stage, Cellabos crosses from the right to Balogun who volleys wide.
ARSENAL 4-1 RAPID VIENNA
90. There will be three minutes of added time.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
