Mikel Arteta thinks fans returning to the Emirates Stadium can give the team a boost, after three consecutive Premier League defeats at home.
On Sunday, Arsenal slipped to their third consecutive home defeat in the Premier League, losing 2-1 to Wolves. That one goal was actually the only one they’ve scored in the last three, losing 3-0 to Aston Villa and 1-0 to Leicester City.
Things aren’t exactly much better in the away games, aside from the win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Still, Mikel Arteta thinks the team can turn their dreadful home form around with the help of the supporters.
“We really need them,” Arteta said. “It’s one of the things that’s missing. They can push the ball into the net as well. We can’t wait to have them and hopefully, that will be soon.”
The first 2,000 fans will return to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, as Arsenal face Rapid Vienna.
Arsenal’s Europa League side are seemingly less in need of a boost, having won all their group games so far, but it’s still the first step in re-establishing that connection with the fans.
We have to wait a fortnight for the next Premier League fixture at home, against Burnley on December 13th. Assuming there aren’t any problems between now and then, we’ll see if the extra supporters make any difference to the team’s form.