Arsenal’s Portugal problem
MIKEL ARTETA says Arsenal will do whatever it takes to play their Europa League tie against Benfica.
Travellers arriving from Portugal will now have to quarantine in hotels for 10 days. That currently includes elite sports competitors.
The Gunners are due to fly out to the Estadio da Luz on February 18 before the return leg at the Emirates seven days later.
Arsenal are talking to the UK Government and UEFA, and have raised the possibility of playing the away leg in a neutral country.
Benfica are adamant that any fixture outside Portugal should be a one-off encounter.
Arsenal manager Arteta said: “We want to play the games and compete in Europe, and we have to find a solution.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will need a negative Covid test to play tomorrow against Manchester United after he was given compassionate leave to visit his ill mother.