Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta would welcome fans outside the stadium tomorrow night.

There's plans for supporters to welcome the home team bus to the Emirates ahead of their Europa League semifinal second-leg clash with Villarreal.

Arteta said, "I think that would be great. We've been missing them so much, we need them. If the players and the team feels 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."

On the prospect of protests, Arteta also stated: "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. 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."