The Gunners are gearing up for their first taste of Champions League action since 2017 when they welcome PSV to the Emirates, but one UEFA rule has caused confusion
Arsenal cannot call their stadium ‘The Emirates’ on Champions League nights
Arsenal’s return to the Champions League after six years out of the competition means the Emirates is undergoing a brief name change.
It is unlikely to do anything to quieten the mood, but there may be some questions among fans over why the name of their beloved stadium has seemingly changed. Having been their since 2006, most Arsenal fans are used to calling it the Emirates.
However, due to UEFA ruling surrounding sponsorships, for Champions League games the ground will instead be referred to as the ‘Arsenal Stadium.’ European organisation UEFA does not recognise stadium sponsors, though the Gunners are not the only ones forced to make the change. Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium is known in the Champions League as the ‘City of Manchester Stadium.’
The Gunners have not featured in European club football’s most prestigious tournament since March 2017, which means the last manager to oversee an Arsenal fixture in the Champions League was Arsene Wenger. Nowadays, Mikel Arteta is at the helm and the Spaniard has made little secret of how delighted he is to be managing at the very highest level.,
“[We’re] proud and excited,” the Arsenal boss explained. “It’s been a long time for the club since we have been in the competition and obviously, it’s the first time for me as a manager, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“Every time I watched it and we weren’t there, I felt it. I think you put pressure on yourself. This club has to be in the Champions League. When I have the job that I have, I have the responsibility to try to bring the club to the biggest stages, to the biggest tournament and then be fighting for them. It was a process but now we are here, we have to make the most out of it.”
His sentiments were echoed by a number of his players, with club captain Martin Odegaard also revealing his excitement at being able to lead Arsenal out for a Champions League tie. “For the club, for the team, for all the supporters – it’s massive for us to be back in the Champions League,” the Norwegian explained.
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Arsenal welcome PSV to north London for the Gunners’ first Champions League game since 2017
“On a personal, individual level too, for all the players, it means so much. It’s where we want to be, where we want to be competing. We worked hard to get here, so now we have to make the most of it.
“I can tell you that everyone has been so excited this week for this game. We were back at the training ground for a recovery session on Monday, and the atmosphere and buzz among the players was brilliant, because we can’t wait to play in this competition. There’s a great feeling right now.”
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