Arsenal fans outside the Emirates Stadium during the recent protest

MIKEL Arteta has urged Arsenal supporters to cheer the team’s coach into the Emirates Stadium tonight (Thursday) ahead of their make-or-break Europa League semi-final showdown against Villarreal.

Thousands of fans protested before the Gunners’ last home game, telling billionaire owner Stan Kroenke: “Give us our Arsenal back.”

Similar scenes are expected tonight as the fallout from the failed attempt to launch a new European Super League continues to be felt.

Arteta says supporters have a right “to express themselves”, adding that as they are going to be at the ground it would “be great” if they also showed the players some love.

“I think that they have to be able to express themselves and if it’s done in a specific way, then they have the right to do it,” said the Arsenal boss. “We have to prepare for the game in the best possible way, I wouldn’t like to use any excuses.

“If something happens with that, then I know that the only purpose of the fans is to defend the club and that they want the best for the team. We will try to do the same.”

Distancing himself from any takeover talk amid rumours that Spotify owner Daniel Ek is preparing a £2billion bid for the club, Arteta continued: “We have to try to be away from all the rumours and everything that is happening around the club, and just focus on the pitch.

“The best way to help the club to be in the best possible position is to win football matches and be competitive at the highest level.”

Quizzed on whether it would give the players a lift to be cheered into the ground, Arteta added: “I think that would be great. We’ve been missing them so much, we need them.

“If the players and the team feel that they are right behind them, supporting them, again – I think it’s the 10th time the club is playing in a European semi-final – so it’s a big moment for us. Hopefully we can have them closer than we have in the last few months.”

Under the guidance of former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, Villarreal won the first leg 2-1. If the Gunners fail to turn the tie around they will fail to qualify for Europe for the first time since 1995-96.

Arteta admitted he didn’t know what impact that would have on the club and his summer transfer budget.

He added: “It’s difficult to respond to that. What I can say is that winning always helps for the future.”