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King's Cross evacuated as Belgian football fans cause travel chaos ahead of Arsenal clash
Standard Liege fans have been causing chaos in London ahead of their clash with Arsenal forcing police to evacuate King's Cross
King's Cross evacuated after football fans set off flares in station
King's Cross is closed after Standard Liege fans let off fireworks and smoke bombs ahead of their match with Arsenal tonight.
Arsenal take on the Belgian side in the Europa League this evening at the Emirates Stadium in north London.
But the Standard fans have been in London since the early hours and have caused police to shut down King's Cross station.
The match is due to kick off at 8pm as Unai Emery's side look to make their mark on the competition.
However the game could now be delayed - as the Cologne match in September 2017 was by an hour - as the capital looks set for travel disturbance through the evening.
Tweets emerged claiming Belgian fans had been in London early this morning before the game.
However things appear to have turned sour wuth trouble in one of London's major train stations.
Arsenal come into the game on the back of Monday night's 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, but won their previous Europa League game against Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in Germany.
These men have just shut down kings cross station, throwing fire crackers and generally freaking a few people out. Jumpers say “red fanatics” pic.twitter.com/YjklWd9Ksz
— Bella Mackie (@bellamackie) October 3, 2019
⛔ King's Cross Station - Closed due to a fire alert. All trains non stopping
— Northern line (@northernline) October 3, 2019
And three points tonight ahead of the double header with Vitoria would put them in pole position to qualify for the knockout rounds.
Emery is keen to progress in the tournament after reaching the final last season - where they lost to Chelsea - having tasted success in it at Sevilla.
Earlier this week he said: “I want to feel not just I love that competition – I want everybody to love it.
"It is a great competition and it is a way into the Champions League.”
But he gave no promises that Mesut Ozil would be back in the side after sitting out against United.
He said: “He still need time and confidence,” said the Spaniard.
“Training and playing. Tomorrow is a good opportunity because he is ready to play. He will take minutes and confidence and show his prowess.
“He didn't play in Manchester because he had a small problem – not important – but doctor said it would be better for him to prepare alone for tomorrow. For the next matches I think he is ready to play with us.”
Earlier today a man pleaded guilty of attempted robbery after Ozil and Arsenal team-mate Sead Kolasinac were involved in a disturbing incident.