Mikel Arteta has appreciated the return of fans back to Stadium.

The Arsenal coach says the presence of football supporters was ‘a huge contribution’ to his side’s 4-1 win against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.

Alexandre Lacazette, Pablo Mari, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Rowe gave the Gunners huge victory as Koya Kitagawa scored a consolation for the visitors.

And to every single fan wherever you are ????pic.twitter.com/O9ddjBqsVE

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 3, 2020

The manager after the game expressed great delight on the liveliness of the Europa night on Thursday and told Arsenal FC TV that it was, “Very special and I am delighted to have them back.

“I think they made a huge contribution. We had 2,000 but it looked like many more. They were very supportive of the team, very encouraging and the lads were saying it makes a huge difference to feel that support and energy. Thank you so much to them for coming and supporting the team.”

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The Premier League returns over the weekend and not all match venues will be able to welcome fans due to the state of coronavirus cases in their region.

Manchester City, United, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Leeds and Wolves are in Tier three, considered as locations with the highest restrictions. The six teams will still play games behind closed doors until cases of coronavirus drops along the line.

When asked whether clubs who can host supporters will have an advantage over those who cannot, Arteta said, “Well, probably, because this sport without fans is totally different.

“The players lose a bit of focus and emotion and it’s something you want to share. At the end of the day, we are here to entertain and make the fans enjoy it. They have a huge passion for this football club and when they are able to transmit that, it gets directly into the players and for me to have them here, at home or away, is always different, and it’s because of them.”

The Gunners will be involved in the London derby on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium having lost five times this season in 10 Premier League games.