Arsenal celebrate fans’ return – and victory – as lucky 2,000 taste top-level football in England again
- The 2,000 inside Emirates Stadium were the first spectators allowed into a top-level competitive game in England since March 11
- Playing an entire season without crowds would cost Premier League clubs an estimated £700 million
For the first time in 270 days, fans were back inside a Premier League ground as Arsenal welcomed 2,000 supporters into the Emirates for Thursday’s routine 4-1 Europa League win over Rapid Vienna.
The sparse crowd in a 60,000-capacity stadium were well distanced between two stands and in high spirits despite the Gunners’ poor form of late in the English top-flight.
“I’m delighted to have fans back, they make a huge difference,” said Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta.
“We had 2,000 but they were loud and they were supportive to the team, so thanks to them for coming and making the effort.”
The lucky 2,000 inside Emirates Stadium were the first spectators allowed into a top-level competitive game in England since March 11 – the day the coronavirus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Sports then shut down and stadiums were closed to spectators once competitions eventually resumed.
