Russia HOOLIGAN warning issued to Arsenal fans ahead of Europa League tie with CSKA Moscow

Russian hooligans caused chaos when they attacked England fans during the 2016 European Championship and a repeat of those horrific scenes could take place when Russia hosts the World Cup ithis summer.

But club fixtures must be completed before the international tournament begins and tonight’s clash between Arsenal and CSKA Moscow has been flagged for a potential flare-up.

Professor Anthony Glees, a security expert, told Express.co.uk Arsenal fans could be attacked by Moscow hooligans and urged supporters to be careful during the trip.

He said Russian fans could use the match as an excuse to get in a practice run ahead of this summer’s tournament – or, contrastingly, lull England fans into a false sense of security by doing nothing at all.

Professor Glees said: “Look, the Russians are playing cat and mouse with us. They’re not taking this issue [hooliganism] seriously, but they’re also masters of misinformation and manipulation.

“They might read about the sort of things I’m saying to you and say, okay, this Arsenal match, let’s be extra careful. You could say that might express itself in not having any incidents.

“Then Russia could say ‘can you see, it’s perfectly safe! No incidents at all’.”

He said Russian fans could also attempt to provoke Arsenal fans and paint them as the aggressors – in much the same way the Kremlin is attempting to convince the world Britain was responsible for the Skripal nerve agent attack.

Professor Glees said: “The prize of getting Arsenal fans as aggressive and violent and reckless… that is such a propaganda prize, the temptation will be enormous.

“And if Britain launch an attack on Syria, it would be an attack on Russia by proxy. In that case I cannot see the FIFA World Cup taking place and so this could be a last chance to take it out on England, on Brits supporting Arsenal.”

And earlier this week a Russia sports official warned any fans travelling to Russia with the intention of finding trouble “would find it”.

Russian Football Union official Vladimir Markin said: “If English fans are travelling to Moscow to watch the game, then they have nothing to be scared of.

“If English fans are here to look for ‘adventures’, they might find them.”

Tonight’s match kicks off at 8.05pm BST (10.05pm local time). Arsenal look set to qualify for the next round after winning 4-1 in the first leg in London.