Date: 28th November 2018 at 1:45pm
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Arsenal have had their Europa League match with Vorskla Poltava moved from Poltava to Kiev, nearly 200 miles away.

Unai Emery will take his side to Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev following the introduction of martial law in some parts of Ukraine.

The country is currently in political unrest following escalating tensions with Russia amid a row over Ukrainian ships in Crimea.

Around 500 Arsenal fans are expected to make the trip and some have already been affected by the late change as the new venue is about 190 miles away from the original.

John Williamson, an Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association (AISA) committee member, said the announcement has been affecting the supporters’ plans “dramatically”.

As reported by Sky Sports, WIlliamson said: “It’s a major inconvenience not only for the fans, but for the team as well,” he said. “Having spent a night in Poltava, I see no issues whatsoever with the match being played here.

Arsenal are already through to the Europa League knockout stages

“I understand the political issues in surrounding areas but there are no problems in the town. I feel that UEFA hasn’t assessed the situation and has overreacted.”

“We arrived in Poltava on Tuesday with an original plan of spending four nights here, returning home on Saturday.

“Having been to Kiev three times previously, we have just decided that on matchday we will go by train to Kiev, return to Poltava on Friday and go to Kharkiv on Saturday for our flight back to London.”

The Gunners are already through to the knockout stages round of 32. Emery is expected to make a host of changes to his squad for the match in Kiev.

 

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