Piebury Corner, a favourite with Arsenal fans and north London locals, subjected to vicious attack by up to 30 men

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

A restaurant favoured by Arsenal football fans was attacked by rival Italian supporters before last night's Champions League clash.

Piebury Corner, near the Emirates stadium in north London, closed after dozens of men tore through it, smashing windows, breaking chairs and swinging belts.

Emily Gould, who works at the restaurant, said about 50 customers were inside the premises on Holloway Road when a 30-strong mob of football supporters stormed the building prior to kick-off.

She said: "I think they were Italian men with Napoli colours and scarves tied around their faces.

"They were shouting something in Italian, chanting and causing trouble down the street. Then they came into the shop. I was terrified. They started swinging belts around. The customers were very frightened."

Gould said many of those already inside Piebury Corner ducked for cover as the fans entered.

She said one man had to be taken to hospital with what she believed was a deep gash to the head after he was struck by a swinging belt buckle. "There is blood all over the floor," she said. "We have been told by police we cannot clear up yet because of the investigation. There is a lot of damage to the shop. The tables and chairs are wrecked."

Piebury Corner owner Paul Campbell said the attack was "completely unprovoked". He said:"We had a minority of them come in, being violent, picking up chairs and tables.

"There were three girls sat near me and these thugs just came in and grabbed the chairs from under the girls.

"I think they just picked us at random because they saw a busy restaurant and they wanted to fight someone – anyone."

Mr Campbell said he had no reason to suspect any trouble from Napoli fans before kick-off. He said: "We are popular with home fans and the travelling European fans too. This just came from nowhere."

A man in his 40s was taken to Whittington Hospital in north London with cuts to his head.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said the man's injuries were not thought to be serious.

The Metropolitan police described the incident as "football-related". A spokesman said a man had been arrested in the area for a public order offence, unconnected to the damage at Piebury Corner. Arsenal won the game 2-0.