Arsenal files: Fans urged to avoid Naples and cook up ‘cover story’ to avoid trouble as Emerson Nwaneri makes CL squad

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GUNNERS supporters were advised to have a “cover story” to avoid being caught up in fan trouble during their time in Naples.

The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) posted that recommendation on social media the night before Wednesday’s match.

There was also advice from the club, who urged fans not to wear club colours or congregate en masse in public areas.

Supporters were also told to avoid the city centre, particularly if they were easily identified as Arsenal fans.

Further advice instructed those travelling to Naples to avoid becoming isolated in areas away from the city’s port, where fan trouble has previously occurred.

The AST issued their own warning on Tuesday night for those who had gone out a day early.

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LU BEAUTY

LUIS MUNOZ scored a “world class” goal to help Arsenal get off to a flying start in the Uefa Youth League.

The forward, 14, struck an effort into the top corner in injury time as the Gunners’ Under-19s kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 victory.

Andre Harriman-Annous had put Arsenal ahead before that, but the visitors were pegged back thanks to a Napoli equaliser.

Munoz – who aged just 14 years and 263 days old became the second-youngest scorer in Youth League history behind Max Dowman – came up trumps to win the game in the dying moments.

Arsenal Under-21 head coach David Horseman said: “The finish is just world class.

“On any stage, that’s a goal that’s fit to win any game. But we know that we’re not just giving people token games.

“We brought a squad that we thought could win the game, and he was part of it. He came on and had the decisive moment.

“But it is a world class goal, and I don’t use that word lightly; that’s for sure.”

CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE

ARSENAL fans that missed their Champions League opener against Napoli will not lose their away credits.

Some Gunners supporters failed to make the game in Naples on Wednesday night due to travel chaos.

Air traffic control issues in the UK forced hundreds of flights to be cancelled on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

It meant that some fans were unable to make it out to Italy for the first game in Europe this season.

But those who failed to do so will not be punished by the club for failing to attend the game.

Arsenal run an away-credit scheme, so as to reward those that travel to see them in action.

The more credits a fan has the easier it is for them to get a ticket for the biggest away games.

Supporters can have their credits hit, though, if they purchase a ticket but fail to turn up for the match.

Arsenal are well aware that in this case many fans were unable to attend due to circumstances out of their control and so they will not lose their credits.

NWAN FOR THE FURTURE

EMERSON NWANERI could potentially make his Champions League debut this season after he was named in Arsenal’s B List squad against Napoli.

Nwaneri, who is the younger brother of Gunners ace Ethan, was one of 30 youth players to be named in the secondary squad list for Arsenal’s European opener.

The B List submissions include any player Arsenal could field in their Champions League game who was born on, or after, January 1 2004, and has been eligible to play for the club for any uninterrupted period of two years since his 15th birthday, or for a total of three consecutive years.

Clubs submit their B List the night before every Champions League game.

It is the same list that allowed Max Dowman and Marli Salmon to make their Champions League debuts last season.

Nwaneri was included in the list ahead of the Napoli game, alongside a host of other names.

Other players named in Arsenal’s B List squad for the Napoli trip included Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, Ceadach O’Neill, Andre Harriman-Annous and Ife Ibrahim.

While Nwaneri’s inclusion doesn’t guarantee a debut, it shows he could be used if Mikel Arteta opts to roll the dice.

Nwaneri was not included in the first-team matchday squad for Napoli; instead, he played for the Under-19s in the Uefa Youth League against Napoli U19s.

The 16-year-old played the full 90 minutes as Arsenal got off to a perfect start with a 2-1 victory over their Italian opponents.

SKELL RAISER

MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY kept the spirit of Arsenal fans high after their win over Napoli.

As is often the case for European away games, Gunners supporters had to stay in the ground for well over an hour after the full-time whistle.

During that time, a few Arsenal players that did not play in the game did some running drills.

One of those was MLS and, as he headed back down the tunnel, the travelling fans asked for him to give them a song.

The teenager bellowed at them “we know what we are”, which led to those supporters in the stadium singing about how Arsenal are champions.

It lifted the mood on what was a long night for Gunners fans, who were bused in and out of the stadium via a police escort.

SSARD TO SAY GOODBYE

LEANDRO TROSSARD was in the stands at the Emirates Stadium when Arsenal beat Chelsea on Sunday.

The Belgian, who left the Gunners to join Besiktas for £15.3m this summer, sat alongside injured defender Jurrien Timber to watch the match.

His appearance came just over 24 hours after he had played for Besiktas, registering a crucial assist as they beat Fenerbahce 2-1 last Saturday.

Trossard has started all four of Besiktas’ league games this season and looks set to play a huge part in their campaign.