ARSENAL responded to the return of fans after a nine-month absence with an obvious boost in passion and performance – and that could be a nightmare come the weekend.
The 2,000 Gunners supporters made a surprising amount of noise to give the impression there were more inside the Emirates on a cold night in December in what would usually be a flat dead rubber of a game.
Arsenal were buoyed by the 2,000 supporters inside the Emirates for their Europa League win over Rapid ViennaCredit: Reuters
And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out the effect it had on the players, as Mikel Arteta’s side stepped up two or three levels from the kind of insipid displays they have been giving of late.
Alexandre Lacazette looked like a man possessed, thundering home a brilliant long-range effort to open the scores and crashing another sublime shot against the base of the post.
By half-time Arsenal were in cruise control, three goals to the good and all smiles as they trudged down the tunnel, responding with waves to the applause of the fans.
All well and good. Or is it?
Turn the focus forward to Sunday when Arteta takes a side stuttering in the Premier League to none other than big North London rivals Tottenham.
It’s bad enough that Jose Mourinho’s side are sitting pretty at the top while Arsenal languish down in 14th, looking over their shoulders as Fulham start to find their form.
And that in Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, Spurs possess the kind of attacking power that threatens to run amok against an Arsenal defence that has shipped six goals in three games – and that would have been much worse had Leeds not somehow failed to find the target.
But imagine if Mourinho’s men get the same bounce as Arsenal so clearly did in this match.
If Tanguy Ndombele kicks on from the dazzling form he has been showing in empty grounds – or Kane and Son play up for the fans.
Things are already worrying enough with traditional goal machine Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a shadow of his former self, starved of opportunities by a team lacking any creative edge.
Arteta and his Arsenal stars will be hoping, praying even, there is not even a hint of a bounce.
It hardly looks a level playing field as it is.
Spurs having a 12th man could spell disaster.
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Alexandre Lacazette smashed in a stunning opener with ten minutes on the clockCredit: PA:Press Association
Harry Kane and Son Heung-min will be determined to put a show on for their fansCredit: AFP or licensors
Jose Mourinho says that Harry Kane an injury doubt for Tottenham clash against Arsenal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
