Arsenal Women have confirmed their Champions League game with Bayern Munich is now at a new venue after making way for the men's Carabao Cup tie.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Arsenal women's game vs Bayern movedClashes with men's team Carabao Cup tieNew venue found for the GunnersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Arsenal fans weren't best pleased when the club announced their scheduled Champions League clash with Bayern at the Emirates on December 18 would no longer be held there, with Mikel Arteta's side's Carabao Cup quarter-final match against Crystal Palace taking its place. Now, the Gunners have revealed that the encounter with the German giants will be held at Meadow Park – a place that has been their main home ground for many years but changed earlier this year – on the same date instead.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT ARSENAL SAID
A club statement reads: "We can confirm that our UEFA Women’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich will take place at one of our familiar home venues for our women’s team, the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park, Borehamwood on Wednesday, December 18. This follows engagement with UEFA in recent days, who have granted special dispensation for the match to be played there, given the unique combination of factors that required a new venue following our men’s team’s home draw in the Carabao Cup quarter-final. We thank members of our supporter groups throughout this time who offered valuable feedback which was reflected in our dialogue with UEFA. We also thank UEFA for their collaboration to find a workable outcome. Supporters who have already purchased a ticket will automatically receive a full refund and a 24-hour priority access window to purchase a new ticket for this fixture at Meadow Park. This window will open at 2pm on Tuesday, November 26, with tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis (subject to availability). We would like to recognise these supporters and their commitment to following us on our Women’s UEFA Champions League campaign. As a gesture of goodwill, we would like to offer a complimentary ticket for a future WSL match at Emirates Stadium this season, or a £20 retail voucher that can be redeemed at The Armoury or on Arsenal Direct. We will make direct contact with these supporters later today. We thank our supporters again for their patience and understanding."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Given that Arsenal's women's team have an average home attendance at the Emirates of nearly 34,000 this season, and had more than 60,000 watch them play in one game last term, playing at the 4,500-capacity Meadow Park is a big step down for them. Given that Arsenal were drawn at home in the cup, though, it has seemed unavoidable.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Arsenal's women's side are next in Champions League action on Thursday when they host Juventus at the Emirates. The Gunners won the away game 4-0 last week.