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For the first time in nine months, fans can enter the 60,000-seat Emirates Stadium and 2,000 people can go through the turnstiles. An impressive atmosphere is not to be expected, something that Rapid manager Dietmar Kühbauer does not disturb. “We are really looking forward to the game, hopefully they will see it then,” Burgenland said on Wednesday before the flight to London.
His club can look forward to the duel with the reigning FA Cup champion relatively relaxed. Even in the event of a defeat against the “Gunners” and a simultaneous home win for Molde over the tail of the Dundalk league, Hütteldorfer could secure second place in the group on 10 December against the Norwegians alone at the Allianz. Stadium and thus advance to the round of 16.
Aim as a realistic goal
Winning a point against Arsenal would improve the starting position of this “final match” a bit, and a surprise against the Londoners does not seem entirely far-fetched. Arsenal already have the ticket to the knockout stage of the Europa League with four victories from four matches and will therefore spare many regular players. Also, the North London derby against archrivals and leaders Tottenham is on Sunday’s program.
ÖFB trio in the Europa League
Austrian Europa League representatives, all of whom still have promotion opportunities, will face prominent opponents on Thursday. WAC will visit CSKA Moscow, Rapid visit Arsenal and LASK will duel Tottenham at home.
A loss in this match would be bitter not just for prestige reasons – Arsenal are currently only 14th in the Premier League, and most recently lost 2-1 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. Kühbauer did not want to overestimate the current misery of the opponent. “They are not that good in the championship, but they are of incredible quality. We need a good performance to be able to take something off. “
Europa League, Group B
Thursday, 9 pm:
Arsenal – Fast
London, Emirates Stadium, SR Petrescu (ROU)
Possible configurations:
Arsenal: Runarsson – Soares, Mustafi, Holding, Maitland-Niles – Pepe, Xhaka, Willock, Nelson – Nketiah, Lacazette
Quick: Gartler – Stojkovic, Hofmann, Barac – Schick, Knasmüllner, Grahovac, Ritzmaier, Ullmann – Kara, Arase
“Enthusiastic and motivated”
Midfielder Marcel Ritzmaier speculates on a respectable success from the Verdiblancos. “Each of us will be enthusiastic and fully motivated. We will do everything, ”promised the 27-year-old. Goalkeeper Ercan Kara added: “It will be difficult but we will do our best to play a good game and then we will see what comes out.”
The 24-year-old has to do without his regular London partner: Taxiarchis Fountas, who had a fierce feud with Thorsten Schick after the 1-1 derby against Austria on Sunday, is absent due to illness. In the Rapids 1: 2 home loss, the Greek had put Hütteldorfer in the lead.
Arsenal manager shows respect
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta still fondly remembers the Vienna game. “We had difficult phases there. Rapid is a committed team, focused, it was difficult to beat ”. The Spaniard stressed that the game will not be taken lightly. “We absolutely want to win out of respect for the fans and our own club.” Arteta expects a “massive boost” for his team from viewers who have been admitted for the first time since March.
Arsenal are currently in a difficult phase, said former assistant coach of Josep Guardiola at Manchester City. “We can keep up with any opponent, but we can also lose to anyone,” Arteta said.
