Arsenal game shifted due to security fears

LONDON: Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Ukranian side FC Vorskla was switched to Kiev from the city of Poltava by Uefa on Tuesday after the adoption of martial law in some areas of the country due to escalating political tension with Russia.

The match will now take place in the Ukrainian capital, more than 300km west of Poltava, at the original scheduled time of 1755 GMT today (00.55am Friday morning, Thai time).

“Uefa’s Emergency Panel has today taken the decision to relocate FC Vorskla’s Uefa Europa League group stage match against Arsenal FC from the city of Poltava, following the introduction of martial law into certain regions in Ukraine,” Uefa said in a statement.

“The match will now take place at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev on Thursday 29 Nov at 18.55CET.”

European football’s governing body said future games in the Ukraine, which hosted last season’s Champions League final, could also be relocated.

“Uefa will continue to monitor and assess the security situation in Ukraine in the coming days before making any decision on potentially relocating other matches,” the statement added.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday warned of the threat of “full-scale war” and said Russia had sharply increased its military presence on their shared border as tensions escalate between the ex-Soviet neighbours.

Meanwhile Chelsea are already through ahead of the game against PAOK at Stamford Bridge today, but know a point would secure their place as group winners.

Even if they lose, they would still be confirmed as group winners if Vidi don’t beat BATE Borisov, and failing that they take on Vidi in Hungary in two weeks time in the final group game.

With that in mind, and a derby match at home to Fulham coming up early on Sunday, Sarri is certain to rest many of his key players.

Eden Hazard twisted his ankle in the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday so will not be risked, but youngster Ethan Ampadu is the only other injury doubt having picked up a knock playing for Wales recently.

In goal Willy Caballero could come in for a rare start, with Kepa Arrizabalaga due a rest having played in every Premier League and Europa League clash so far. The reserve back four of Davide Zappacosta, Gary Cahill, Andreas Christensen and Emerson Palmieri should figure in Europe once again.

FIXTURES

(10.50pm kick-offs)

Astana v Dynamo Kiev; Spartak Moskva v Rapid Vienna

(00.55am kick-offs)

Qarabaq v Sporting CP; Vorskla v Arsenal; Zenit v Kobenhavn; Bordeaux v Slavia Praha; Zurich v AEK Larnaca; Bayer Leverkusen v Ludogorets; BATE Borisov v Vidi; Krasnodar v Akhisarspor; Milan v F91 Dudelange; Real Betis v Olympiakos Piraeus; Anderlecht v Spartak Trnava; Fenerbahce v Dinamo Zagreb; Salzburg v RB Leipzig; Rosenborg v Celtic

(3am kick-offs)

Jablonec v Rennes; Sarpsborg v Besiktas; Malmo v Genk; Rangers v Villarreal; Chelsea v PAOK; Standard Liege v Sevilla; Eintracht Frankfurt v Marseille; Apollon v Lazio