AFTV News

Is Laca back to his best? Three things we learned from Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Rapid Vienna in the Europa League By Adam Le Roux It almost felt like the good old days last night, as a rampant Arsenal side demolished Rapid Vienna 4-1 in front of actual real-life supporters, as they kept up their 100% record in this season’s Europa League group stage. The 2000 Gooners in attendance were treated to a free-flowing side that looked capable of scoring each and every time they came forward at the Emirates, with the confidence oozing out of the team by the end of the 90 minutes - a stark contrast to what we've seen in the Premier League recently... Alexandre Lacazette’s early thunderbolt set the tone for a routine victory for Mikel Arteta’s side, before Pablo Mari added a second before the clock had even reached 20 minutes, as the Spaniard netted on his return to the side after six months on the sidelines. The hosts continued to toy with their opponents throughout the first half, an...

      “It was really nice when the fans were behind us" - All the best reaction after Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday night. by Adam Le Roux How great was it to see fans back in the Emirates last night? And what a performance they were treated to, as Arsenal swept aside Rapid Vienna 4-1 to maintain their 100% record in this season’s Europa League. Alexandre Lacazette staked his claim for a starting berth in Sunday’s North London Derby with a sumptuous long-range effort just ten minutes in, as the 2000 supporters in attendance were treated to one of the goals of the season so far.  And a good night just kept getting better for the Gunners, as long-term absentee Pablo Mari found the net on his return to the team after six months out, as the centre back nodded in a corner to double the advantage. Eddie Nketiah rounded off a sublime passing move to make it three just before half-time, with six separate Arsenal players all involved...

Mikel Arteta takes the blame for Bernd Leno's blunder against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League By Adam Le Roux Mikel Arteta shouldered some of the responsibility for Rapid Vienna’s opening goal as Arsenal were forced to come from behind in their opening Europa League match of the season.  Bernd Leno’s attempted pass was intercepted by Taxiarchis Fountas early in the second-half, leaving the Greek striker with the easiest of finishes to put the hosts ahead, as the Gunners had to do it the hard way in the Austrian capital.  Quick-fire goals from David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang managed to turn the game around to secure the victory, and get them off to the perfect start in Group B. Despite the German goalkeeper’s blunder, Arteta is adamant that his philosophy of playing the ball out from the back won’t be changing anytime soon. “We made it a little bit harder with some decisions we made and the goal we conceded, which if anything is obviously my fault because I demand th...

Three things to look out for in Rapid Wien vs Arsenal By Paul Martin It's now only a matter of hours until Arsenal's 2020/21 Europa League campaign gets underway, with Mikel Arteta looking to add continental silverware to the domestic trophies he has already secured. First up is a trip to the Austrian capital to take on Rapid Vienna, who sit second in the Austrian Bundesliga – which is where they finished last season. But what can we expect from tonight's game? Here are three things to look out for…  Partey Time Having come off the bench at Manchester City on Saturday, the stage looks set for £45m man Thomas Partey to make his first start for the club this evening. "It was a very short turnaround for him since he joined the team," Arteta said this week. "He had a day, a day-and-a-half only in training. He has done a few more training sessions and he looks ready to start." If he does so, it will be intriguing to see how the Ghanaian fits into the system, ...

The five players Mikel Arteta should consider for Thursday's Europa League trip to Austria to face Rapid Vienna By Adam Le Roux This Thursday sees the Gunners face their first European fixture of the season, as Mikel Arteta takes his side to Austria to face Rapid Vienna in the Europa League. It’s a competition in which Arsenal fans are used to seeing an experimental line-up, as young starlets and new signings get the chance to shine on the highest stage, and we get a glimpse of the next generation of talent among our ranks.  It was Gabriel Martinelli who stole the show last year, with the Brazilian’s early brace paving the way for a comfortable 4-0 victory over Standard Liege at the Emirates, but who could be the man to make the headlines this time around?  Here we take a look at five players that Arteta could deploy in the Allianz Stadion, as we look to get off to the perfect start in group B. Runar Runarsson The Icelandic shot-stopper has been playing second fiddle to Bernd ...