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Arsenal and Man Utd Europa League venue switches confirmed amid Covid-19 restrictions

Football

By Mirror | Feb 09, 2021

**Arsenal take on Manchester United in the Premier League last month. Both clubs’ away legs in the Europa League have been moved.** [Getty Images]

Manchester United and Arsenal's Europa League last-32 first legs set for next Thursday against Real Sociedad and Benfica respectively have changed venues.

United's away leg will now take place in Turin at the Juventus Stadium while Arsenal's game will be in Rome.

The switches come due to strict coronavirus travelling rules implemented by both Spain and Portugal around passengers arriving from the UK.

Liverpool's Champions League game against RB Leipzig as well as Manchester City's against Borussia Monchengladbach have also been moved, with both those ties taking place at the Puskas Stadium in Budapest.

A statement from UEFA on the United game released on Tuesday afternoon read: "UEFA can confirm that the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 first leg match between Real Sociedad de Fútbol and Manchester United FC will now take place at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. The date of the match (18 February 2021) and kick-off time (18:55CET) will remain the same.

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"UEFA would like to thank Real Sociedad de Fútbol and Manchester United FC for their close cooperation and assistance in finding a solution to the issue at hand, as well as the Italian Football Federation and Juventus for their support and agreeing to host the match in question."

At the time the draw was made, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: "It sounds like a Champions League draw and it's definitely one that keeps everyone on their toes.

"I've watched them a couple of times and they're an exciting team and it'll be a test for us.

“We've got some difficult games around that period. It's not a time we can switch off and feel it's an easy Europa League draw, this feels like a Champions League draw. We just have to stay focused."