Arsenal will welcome Real Madrid on Tuesday evening in North London for the first stage of their Champions League Quarte final.
While the Gunners have stuttered in their bid for a first Premier League title in 21 years, they remain a chance for the first time in their history to lift the biggest prize of European football.
But because of a little -known UEFA rule, they will not officially play in Emirates Stadium – that their home has been Highbury since they left Highbury in 2006.
In European competition, the land is simply mentioned as 'Arsenal Stadium' because of a UEFA regulation.
This also applies to a number of other teams in Europe, including Manchester City.
City has also seen their home bus, the Etihad Stadium, renamed the city of Manchester Stadium when they play in the UEFA competition.
This is due to the fact that UEFA does not recognize stadium sponsors under their rules regarding sponsorship in the naming of stadiums.
In fact, the UEFA sponsorship rules have also forced teams to change their name somewhat.
Red Bull Salzburg in Austria has shortened their name to simply FC Salzburg and use a modified top that fits within the regulations.
So, you have to see that the name of Arsenal Stadium is used on Tuesday evening, that is the unlikely reason behind it.
The game will see Mikel Arteta's Zijjacht a victory that would give them a great chance to reach their first semi-final of the Champions League since 2009.
Comments