Arsenal tie with Bayern moved to Meadow Park

Arsenal will play their high-profile Women’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich at Meadow Park in Borehamwood after Uefa granted the club special dispensation.

Emirates Stadium had originally been earmarked to host the Group C tie on 18 December, but there was a scheduling clash with Arsenal’s men’s team.

Mikel Arteta’s side have an EFL Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace on the same date, and it could not be moved because the Eagles have televised Premier League matches on the previous Sunday and the following Saturday.

Meadow Park’s facilities do not currently meet Uefa requirements, but Arsenal said in a statement that a “unique combination of factors” saw the venue switch approved by European football’s governing body.

The Gunners also expressed their gratitude to fans for their “patience and understanding”.

Meadow Park, the 4,500-capacity stadium of Boreham Wood FC, has been the traditional home venue for Arsenal’s Women’s Super League matches.

The Gunners have said supporters who have purchased a ticket for the Champions League fixture on the assumption it was at the Emirates will automatically receive a full refund.

They will then have a 24-hour priority access window to purchase a new ticket.

“We thank members of our supporter groups throughout this time who offered valuable feedback which was reflected in our dialogue with Uefa,” Arsenal said in the statement.

“We also thank Uefa for their collaboration to find a workable outcome.”