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Arsenal’s Europa League matches against Benfica set to be played at neutral venues
Arsenal’s Europa League double clash with Benfica has been moved to two separate neutral venues.
Arsenal will face off with Benfica in the Round of 32 of the Europa League. The fixture involves two legs (home and away) in the space of a week.
It has been confirmed by UEFA that both ties will take place at neutral venues due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The first leg of the clash which was initially to be played in Lisbon, Portugal at Benfica’s home on 18 February has been moved to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome because of UK’s strict quarantine rules on people returning from Portugal.
The second leg which was supposed to be play in London at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium on 25 February will instead take place in Athens at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium since Benfica are unable to enter UK.
This means that both fixtures will be played at neutral venues in Italy and Greece next week and none of the teams will have a home advantage.
