Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow WARNING: Ultras with 'knuckle dusters to KILL' in London

VIOLENT Russian thugs are poised to attack Arsenal fans tonight in a tie that could be marred by fatalities, an expert has warned.

Posted Friday, April 06, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk

The Gunners face CSKA Moscow at home from 8.05pm in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash.

But the tie comes as Britain and the Kremlin lock horns over the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and daughter Yulia, 33, in Salisbury last month.

Tension has rocketed between the two nations who have both expelled diplomats and fired a series of scathing verbal blows.

Now a security and intelligence expert – Professor Anthony Glees – has warned hooligans may be on their way to wreak havoc on north London as a result.

Prof Glees said the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick should be wary of blood-thirsty Ultras bringing weaponry to the capital.

Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow WARNING: Ultras with 'knuckle dusters to KILL' in London
WARNING: Police have been warned of Russian hooligans from CSKA Moscow

Commenting on tonight's fixture, he told Daily Star Online: "There is the ongoing threat.

"There is now the risk that those who claim to support Putin, and we think act with his support for what they do, people that kill journalists and opponents of the regime, they will feel they have a Russian Government licence to attack.

"It's much easier to get knuckle dusters into the country in a coach. Their (hooligans') track record is appalling, and it's got worse."

Asked about the likelihood of Russian hooligans attacking Arsenal in London tonight, he responded: "Extremely strong, given their behaviour in Lille and other places.

"I suspect Cressida Dick will be worried about this."

Shortly after the draw, Prof Glees also warned the potential attacks could prove fatal.

He previously told us: "When there is violence, people get killed.

"When Russian fans thump people with knuckle dusters, the danger is people get killed.

"There is a genuine threat to limb and life. It applies across the board."

He added: "Russian Ultras are widely supported in Russia at the moment. I think they (Arsenal fans) will be treated with hostility.

Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow WARNING: Ultras with 'knuckle dusters to KILL' in London
TROUBLE: Russian Ultras wreaked havoc at Euro 2016

"In my view the risk is moderate to high that something will go wrong.

"I think football fans and their families need to think about that."

Prof Glees also told Daily Star Online that the safety of Arsenal fans and players travelling to Moscow has been thrust into jeopardy over the Skripal saga.

He believes the players could be subject to food tampering, while the fans may be subject to attacks on the streets.

Yesterday Russia escalated tensions even further by accusing the attack on Skripal a "provocation" by the UK and US.

Moscow's foreign intelligence agency chief Sergei Naryshkin also warned of how we are entering a new Cold War.

He said: "Washington has become fixated with the fight against a non-existent, so-called Russian threat.

"This has reached such proportions and acquired such absurd characteristics that it's possible to speak of a return to the dark times of the Cold War."

Liverpool's 3-0 win over Man City last night was rocked by trouble as Liverpool fans were filmed setting off dozens of red flares around their bus.

Daily Star Online has approached Met Police for comment.