da roleta: Arsenal have returned to Champions League competition for the first time in six years, with it noted that UEFA are calling their home Arsenal Stadium.
da supremo: Article continues below
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North London giants back in the big timeSix-year wait brought to a closeBest possible start made in 2023-24WHAT HAPPENED?
The Gunners have been at their current north London base since 2006. Back then, they made the short move from the iconic marble halls of Highbury to the plush surroundings of Emirates Stadium – a 60,000-seater venue for the modern era.
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Plenty of European football has been taken in since switching address, but elite continental football has been off the agenda since 2017. That barren run has been brought to a close, with Mikel Arteta overseeing a convincing 4-0 victory over PSV as Arsenal returned to the top table in style for 2023-24.
DID YOU KNOW?
UEFA have that game recorded as taking place at Arsenal Stadium, as European football’s governing body do not recognise stadium names that include sponsors. Those rules also impact Manchester City – who play at the City of Manchester Stadium, rather than the Etihad – while Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg are merely referred to as FC Salzburg.
(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Arsenal will not care what their ground is referred to as long as they are winning in it, with Arteta having said of bringing a long wait for Champions League action to a close: “I’m really happy. It was really emotional just listening to the music and the atmosphere that we had in the stadium, it was great. It is a good memory for the first game to win 4-0 and the way we played, I’m really happy.”