ionigeria.com Nigerian Newspaper
Arsenal Emirates Stadium is set for a name-change for the club’s Champions League return against PSV Eindhoven.
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.’
Indeed, the Gunners feature in Europe’s premier competition for the first time since the departure of Arsene Wenger, having pushed Manchester City into a title fight last season.
And Mikel Arteta’s side enter the game in good form, having claimed an important win by beating Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday – their first win there in five visits. Indeed, at this early juncture in the season Arsenal remain just two points adrift of Manchester City in the Premier League.
Regarding the Champions League, the Gunners find themselves in Group B alongside Sevilla, PSV, and Lens.
While the stadium will almost certainly be bouncing on Wednesday night, there might be a bit of confusion regarding the name of the arena.
Arsenal’s stadium is traditionally called the ‘Emirates’ for sponsorship reasons. However, that won’t be the case on Champions League nights, with the ground simply being referred to as the ‘Arsenal Stadium.’
Ahead of Arsenal’s return to the competition, Arteta stressed the team’s excitement.
The Spaniard said: “[We’re] proud and excited. 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.”
