Arsenal forced to change name of Emirates Stadium for Champions League clash with PSG

The Emirates’ Secret Identity: Why Arsenal’s Stadium is Called Something Else for Champions League Matches

As Arsenal prepares to host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League group stage, fans might notice something peculiar about the stadium’s name. Instead of the usual "Emirates Stadium," the ground will be referred to as simply "Arsenal Stadium" for this Tuesday night’s match. So, what’s the reason behind this sudden change of name?

The answer lies in UEFA’s sponsorship rules, which don’t recognize stadium sponsors in European competitions. This means that when Arsenal plays in the Champions League, they have to revert to their original name, without the Emirates sponsorship. It’s not just Arsenal; fellow Premier League side Manchester City also uses the name "The City of Manchester Stadium" instead of the Etihad for European games.

This unique situation is a result of UEFA’s strict regulations regarding sponsorships. The governing body wants to maintain a level playing field, where all teams have an equal chance of competing without any external influences. While this might seem a bit restrictive, it’s essential to ensure that the focus remains on the game itself rather than the financial backing of the teams.

For fans, this change might come as a surprise, but it’s a small price to pay for the thrill of watching Arsenal take on one of the biggest teams in the world. The Gunners are looking to secure their first Champions League win of the season, and with the home support behind them, they’re confident of pulling off a vital win.

"We’re looking forward to it," said manager Mikel Arteta. "These are the kind of nights that we want to experience and want to have against an unbelievable opponent. We’re just ready for it." Arteta also expressed his excitement about playing against PSG, a club he played for on loan during his early days as a professional player.

"It was my first professional experience," he reminisced. "It was an unbelievable time that I spent there and I loved every minute of it. I will always be grateful to the club and Luis Fernandez because he was the one who believed in me when I was 17, 18 years old."

The stage is set for an electrifying match, and with Arsenal’s home support behind them, they’re ready to give it their all. So, tune in to find out if they can pull off a stunning win against the French giants.

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