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      Bayern Munich fan dies after medical emergency in stands during Champions League win over Benfica

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      A BAYERN Munich fan tragically passed away after a medical emergency in the crowd during their Champions League win over Benfica.The individual required medical assistance just three minutes into the match at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening.They were taken away on a stretcher around 30 minutes later and passed away while being rushed to hospital.Bayern fans in the part of the ground where the medical emergency took place – the Sudkurve – stopped singing for much of the match out of respect for the supporter.A statement from the Bundesliga club read: “In the Champions League league phase match against Benfica, FC Bayern’s 1-0 victory was overshadowed by a sad event.”A medical emergency in the stands of the Allianz Arena cast a shadow over the game right from the start.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Out of consideration, the Sudkurve refrained from its usual vociferous support for their team, and the club also reduced its coverage of the match.”Around an hour after the final whistle, the German record champions received the sad news that the fan had died on the way to hospital.”FC Bayern is in mourning side by side with the fan’s relatives.”Bayern won the game 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jamal Musiala.Most read in Champions LeagueAfter the match, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany spoke about the medical emergency.He said: “It’s difficult to talk about football at the moment.”After the game, we didn’t celebrate as much as we normally do. Of course, the boys only noticed it after the game.”We always hope that our fans and all of them go home safe and sound. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case today.”And forward Thomas Muller added: “We noticed it, how and wherefore. I think we saw right before kick-off what would have been possible in terms of atmosphere.”The whole group in the south curve was jumping. But of course, when something like that happens, it’s also a nice sign of solidarity that the fans don’t put their own party first, but show a bit of humanity.”The fan was taken away on a stretcher but died on the way to the hospitalCredit: AP More

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      Mikel Arteta launches furious rant as Arsenal star Merino ‘punched in the head’ but no penalty given in Inter defeat

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      MIKEL ARTETA was left seething with the officials after Arsenal were sunk at the San Siro after a tale of TWO penalties.The Gunners boss raged over Hakan Calhanoglu’s first half spot-kick for a controversial handball against Mikel Merino that earned Inter Milan a famous Champions League victory.Mikel Arteta was left seething with the officials after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Inter MilanCredit: GettyInter goalkeeper Yann Sommer appeared to punch Mikel Merino in the head, but Arsenal were not awarded a penaltyCredit: AFPInter’s goal came from controversial handball decision involving Merino as wellCredit: TNT SPORTSAnd Arteta then argued his side deserved to have a penalty of their own “one thousand percent” after Merino was PUNCHED by Inter keeper Yann Sommer in the head.Arteta said: “We were very harshly done. I don’t understand [Inter’s penalty]. It is a deflection. There is no danger, no reaction because it is very close to his body.“There is nothing he can do. I don’t know how you can get away from it.“We were told at the start of the season that was not going to be a penalty but it was a different story.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“But if that is a penalty then when Merino is punched in the head it is one thousand percent a penalty. It is very difficult to accept that.”Arsenal legend and TNT pundit Martin Keown said: “It was a controversial moment. Fine margins. I don’t believe it was a penalty and I feel it was really harsh.“Where are you supposed put your arm in that position? Who’s made these rules? Have they played the game?“Mikel Merino is so close and the arm has come up to go into a challenge. It is really harsh.Most read in FootballMartin Keown gave his thoughts on the controversial refereeing decisionsCredit: RexMartin Keown’s assessmentHere’s a look at what Arsenal hero Martin Keown made of the referee’s decisions…On Yann Sommer clashing with Mikel Merino…”You can see there is a follow-through. On another night the referee might see that as a violent act.”He [referee Istvan Kovacs] was levelling it up and dishing it out to players, but he didn’t level up on penalties.”The one against Arsenal is really harsh.”On the penalty decision…”It was a controversial moment. Fine margins. I don’t believe it was a penalty and I feel it was really harsh.”Where are you supposed put your arm in that position? Who’s made these rules? Have they played the game?”Mikel Merino is so close to Mehdi Taremi and the arm has come up to go into a challenge – it is really harsh.”Merino is preparing to go with his first action and then the ball deflects.”FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMerino is preparing to go with his first action and then the ball deflects.”On Sommer’s connection with Merino, Keown added: “You can see there is a follow-through. On another night the referee might see that as a violent act.Thierry Henry aims huge dig at Arsenal in awkward CBS Sports moment as fans ask ‘why are you s***ting on your own club?“He [referee Istvan Kovacs] was levelling it up and dishing it out to players, but he didn’t level up on penalties.”Arteta confirmed that Merino was taken off at half time as a result of that collision with Sommer, admitting he did not feel well before kick-off and was left “groggy”.Arsenal have now lost three of their last six games in all competitions as their poor run continues both in the Premier League and in Europe.They now travel to Stamford Bridge to take on in-form Chelsea on Sunday, with Kai Havertz now also a doubt after requiring stitches following a clash of heads late on against Inter.But the visitors had their chances, attempting 20 shots, their most without scoring in a Champions League game since November 2006 against CSKA Moscow.Arteta added: “I’m very proud of my players. If we play like we did tonight we can win at Chelsea.“With the number of situations we created we should have scored. “But that was more us tonight, we dominated one of the best teams in Europe in their stadium, I’m proud of them.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The worst thing of the night is the result, the performance, attitude, the dominance against one of the best teams in Europe, I haven’t seen it in the games I watched.“We had many situations we could have resolved much better and scored at least two goals and we are extremely frustrated – in both boxes we did not do what we have to do.”Mikel Merino was substituted at half-time after feeling ‘groggy’ from the collisionCredit: PAKai Havertz is a doubt for Arsenal’s trip to Stamford Bridge after requiring stitches after a clash of headsCredit: GettyArsenal player ratings v Inter MilanTOOTHLESS Arsenal were beaten by a superb Italian job in Milan as they lost 1-0 thanks to a controversial penalty.Here’s how the Gunners stars were rated by SunSport’s Tony Robertson.David Raya – 6Unfortunate with the penalty on an otherwise quiet night. Passing was below par with on three out of nine long passes finding their mark.Ben White – 7Dependable as ever at right back. Can’t be blamed for the defeat from a defensive standpoint.William Saliba – 7Marshalled defence well and produced some strong passes.  Three clearances and six duels won said everything about his performance.Gabriel Magalhaes – 7Had a slightly better time in duels than Saliba but was worse on the ball.Jurrien Timber – 7 Had a good rapport with Martinelli down the left flank. Dependable but undone by the controversial penalty call.Mikel Merino – 5 Difficult to see what he brings to the midfield at the moment. Clearly Arteta likes his height and strength, but not on the same wavelength as team-mates tonight. Unlucky to give away the penalty.Thomas Partey – 6Should have been given more licence to roam forward in the second half. But didn’t look like he had the legs to do that job.Bukayo Saka – 6Captain for the night with Odegaard only fit for the bench. Saka was always a threat, but all too often or not chose the wrong option to go inside or out.Gabriel Martinelli – 7Flashes of brilliance and a thorn throughout the clash. Created four chances but team-mates were unable to help him out.Kai Havertz – 6  Couple of flashes of brilliance, including a beautiful curled effort at goal that forced Sommer to punch clear, but needed to be a stronger force up top. Went off with a bloody head in injury time.Leandro Trossard – 6 Buzzed around and had threatening moments. But just didn’t get the ball enough in dangerous positions. More

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      ‘Referee had no choice but to award a penalty, Mings needs to have a look at himself and ask, What on earth was I doing?

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      ASTON VILLA conceded one of the most bizarre penalties in Champions League history on Wednesday night.Villa boss Unai Emery slammed Tyron Mings’ bizarre decision to PICK UP the ball as “the biggest mistake I witnessed in my career”.Tyrone Mings’ inexplicable error cost Aston Villa all three points against Club BruggeCredit: GettyMings picked up the ball from a goal kick, giving away a penalty by doing soCredit: TNT SPORTSFormer Premier League referee and SunSport columnist Mark Halsey has given his verdict on the controversial decisionCredit: AFPMings gifted Club Brugge a penalty in the second half when he was passed the ball inside the area by Emi Martinez from a goal-kick and decided to bend down and pick it up.It can only be assumed that Mings had a lapse in concentration and thought he had been rolled the ball to take the goal-kick himself.But referee Tobias Stieler stuck to the letter of the law and pointed to the spot, a decision that cost Villa all three points as Brugge captain Hans Vanaken converted the resulting penalty to score the only goal of the game.Former Premier League referee and SunSport columnist Mark Halsey gives his verdict on the controversial decision that marred Villa’s defeat to Club Brugge…READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking exclusively to SunSport Halsey explained that official Stieler made the right call and said that Aston Villa can have “no complaints whatsoever”.He said: “We see it week in week out in every league around the globe, where the goalkeeper takes a quick goal kick giving it to the defender, and the defender plays it away.”Adding: “The referee has no option whatsoever to to give that penalty because the ball is in play and it’s a it’s a schoolboy error by by Tyrone Mings. “It’s just unbelievable for a player of his calibre to do what he did in the second half.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So Aston Villa can have no complaints whatsoever.”The incident was remarkably similar to Arsenal centre-back Gabriel’s blunder against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season.Arsenal star Gabriel got away with a similar incident in last season’s Champions LeagueCredit: TNT SPORTS’Career threatening!’ Ex-Prem ref reacts to Martinez’s tackle on Cole Palmer in Man Utd vs Chelsea | The Whistleblower, Mark HalseyThe Brazilian defender was let off the hook that night with Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg saying that it was a “kid’s mistake” that wasn’t in the spirit of the game to punish a team for.Halsey reckons you can feel sorry for Mings, but the decision ultimately has to be a penalty by the letter of the law.He added: “Tyrone Mings needs to have a look at himself and ask himself, What on earth was I doing?”Listen, yes. You do feel a little bit for him, but they’re professional footballers. They should know the laws of the game.”And as I say It’s a quick goal kick and, once the goal kick has been taken the ball is in play.”So, as I said before, Aston Villa could have no complaints at the award of a penalty by the referee.”Villa players also found themselves complaining that the referee hadn’t blown his whistle to restart play yet, but Halsey has clarified there’s no substance in that argument either.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe explained: “The referee doesn’t need to blow his whistle in that situation to restart play. It’s just ‘away we go’.”Villa’s defeat knocked them off their perch in Europe and ended their 100% start to the Champions League this season.Unai Emery labelled Mings’ gaffe as the ‘biggest mistake I witnessed in my career’Credit: Getty More

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      Man Utd star Harry Maguire facing HUGE fine after being clocked speeding in £200k Land Rover twice in two days

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      MANCHESTER United star Harry Maguire is facing a hefty fine after he was clocked speeding in his £200,000 motor twice in two days.The England defender, 31, was caught exceeding a 50mph limit by a manned traffic camera.Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is facing a HUGE fine after being clocked speeding in his £200k Land Rover twice in two daysCredit: GettyMaguire, reportedly paid £190,000 a week, was in his Land Rover SV on March 5 in Wilmslow, Gtr Manchester.Two days later, in the same car, he was caught travelling at 68mph in a 60mph zone in Sheffield, South Yorks.In September he admitted that offence at the city’s magistrates’ court, was ordered to pay £1,028 and handed three points.Yesterday Maguire was due to appear before Bolton magistrates after pleading guilty last month for the first offence.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut he had given notice he would not attend and the hearing was adj­ourned to January 8.In September, The Sun revealed that Maguire’s pal Marcus Rashford was banned from the road after speeding at 104mph on the M60.The forward was pulled over by an undercover cop car and claimed he only sped up as he was scared of being followed.Last year Rashford, 26, infamously collided with a grandmother in his £700,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan as he left United’s Carrington training ground.Most read in FootballBoth drivers luckily escaped without harm.Fellow England star Jack Grealish, of United’s rivals Man City, was also fined £666 earlier this year for speeding at 44 in a 30mph zone.Maguire was due to appear before Bolton magistrates after pleading guilty last month for the first offenceCredit: APMan Utd fans say Harry Maguire ‘should still be captain’ as they spot ‘class act’ towards academy stars in pre-season More

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      Arsenal player ratings vs Inter: Martinelli tries dragging troops through but Merino poor as he gives away penalty

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      TOOTHLESS Arsenal were beaten by a superb Italian job in Milan as they lost 1-0 thanks to a controversial penalty.After losing at the weekend, Mikel Arteta was hoping his team could bounce back with a win in the Champions League.Mikel Arteta saw Arsenal fall to a frustrating 1-0 lossCredit: GettyMikel Merino disappointing before he gave away a controversial penalty for handballCredit: GettyGabriel Martinelli was a threat throughoutCredit: GettyThey were adamant they should have had a penalty in the first half when Mikel Merino was seemingly punched in the head by Yann Sommer as the Swiss international cleared the ball away.However, in first-half injury time, Merino was involved again at the other end as he gave away a penalty when the ball struck his raised hand from close range.That was converted by Hakan Calhanoglu, and Arteta rang the changes by introducing Gabriel Jesus at half-time.But the Gunners seemed to have wet powder at the San Siro as their attacking efforts fell flat, with many of their usual suspects in attack flattering to deceive.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDavid Raya – 6Unfortunate with the penalty on an otherwise quiet night.Passing was below par with on three out of nine long passes finding their mark.Ben White – 7Dependable as ever at right back.Can’t be blamed for the defeat from a defensive standpoint.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWilliam Saliba – 7Marshalled defence well and produced some strong passes. Three clearances and six duels won said everything about his performance.Huge Arsenal boost as Martin Odegaard returns to training ahead of Inter Milan clash Gabriel Magalhaes – 7Had a slightly better time in duels than Saliba but was worse on the ball.Booked.Jurrien Timber – 7 (off Zinchenko 82 mins)Had a good rapport with Martinelli down the left flank.Dependable like the rest of the defence but undone by the controversial penalty call.Mikel Merino – 5 (off for Jesus half-time)Difficult to see what he brings to the midfield at the moment. Clearly Arteta likes his height and strength, but not on the same wavelength as team-mates tonight.Unlucky to give away the penalty for handball after being clattered by Sommer earlier on in the evening.Thomas Partey – 6Should have been given more licence to roam forward in the second half.But didn’t look like he had the legs to do that job.Bukayo Saka – 6Captain for the night with Odegaard only fit for the bench.Saka was always a threat, but all too often or not chose the wrong option to go inside or out.Gabriel Martinelli – 7Flashes of brilliance and a thorn throughout the clash.Created four chances but team-mates were unable to help him out.Kai Havertz – 6 (off Odegaard 90 mins)Couple of flashes of brilliance, including a beautiful curled effort at goal that forced Sommer to punch clear, but needed to be a stronger force up top.Went off with a bloody head in injury time.Leandro Trossard – 6 (off Nwaneri 82 mins)Buzzed around and had threatening moments.But just didn’t get the ball enough in dangerous positions.SubstitutesGabriel Jesus (on half-time for Merino) – 6Didn’t offer much after coming on. Booked.Oleksandr Zinchenko (on Timber) – 6Tidy in possession but rarely moved the ball forward.READ MORE SUN STORIESEthan Nwaneri (on Trossard 82 mins) – 6Skied a shot over the bar in injury time.Martin Odegaard (on Havertz 90 mins) – N/ANot enough time to make impact. More

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      Inter 1 Arsenal 0: Gunners slide down Champions League table as controversial penalty inflicts more misery on Arteta

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      THE San Siro once played host to one of Arsenal’s greatest ever European victories.In November 2003, Arsene Wenger’s majestic Invincibles smashed Javier Zanetti’s Inter Milan 5-1 thanks to a Thierry Henry-inspired away-day Champions League masterpiece.Hakan Calhanoglu converts from the penalty spotCredit: GettyIt was enough to separate the sidesCredit: GettyYet 21 years on, this was anything but as Mikel Arteta’s Gunners fell to a miserable third defeat in six games in all competitions – one more painful bump in the road this term.In the new 36-team league format, with four games still to play, this first Euro defeat – thanks to Hakan Calhanoglu’s first half injury time penalty – is not fatal in their quest to qualify.Instead, it simply acts as another confidence-shattering and pressure-heaping result for a group of players that look weighed down by expectation.Arteta’s Arsenal are not in a good place. Their belief drained, their optimism fading, all before what now looks to be a serious season-definer away at Chelsea on Sunday.READ MORE IN footballLose that, and they could be TEN points off leaders Liverpool. Title race over in mid-November?Among those San Siro legends in red and white were Henry, recently departed Sporting Director Edu and Robert Pires. Generational heroes.There were none on show last night against Simone Inzaghi’s brick-wall Inter set-up. An Arsenal team that once sparkled is beginning to lose its shine.Arsenal are now at the backend of their injury ‘crisis’ with skipper Martin Odegaard on the bench – his first squad involvement since August 31 after a prolonged ankle issue.Most read in FootballHowever, Declan Rice was watching this one from home with a foot problem, allowing Thomas Partey to slot back into midfield and Ben White to return to right back.The visitors tried to start on the front foot only to be hit by an early scatter gun of Inter chances. Denzel Dumfries controlled a cross in the box before unleashing a cannon of a volley off the bar.Hilarious moment Mikel Arteta ‘fines’ journalist during press conference as brutal discipline rules apply to everyoneCalhanoglu then skimmed a bobbled shot from range just wide of David Raya’s right-hand post. The Spanish keeper was coming under attack from all areas.The hosts could smell blood, as could the brilliantly mad supporters filling this cathedral of noise. Partey was soft again but Mehdi Taremi’s cross was just cut out.Arsenal were being made to fight for every opening, but even when they were presented with a chance, it was scrappy and unconvincing.Frustration brewed. Before a rare foray forward and a first corner, Gabriel was booked – as well as his marker Lautaro Martinez – for a pretty petty shoving match.There were soon signs of life, Saka showing incredible strength on the halfway line against Yann Bisseck to send Gabriel Martinelli on a gallop down the left.The Brazilian’s cross was a yard too heavy for the incoming Mikel Merino. Saka then had some space to attack down the right, firing a shot of his own straight at Yann Sommer.Another Martinelli cross was more accurate as Merino showed bravery in the air. As a reward, he was clobbered by a heavy-fisted Sommer.Merino did well to get back up quickly while Sommer awaited a VAR check. The Swiss shot-stopper appeared to get a slight glance on the ball before taking Merino’s head off.Inter looked to be content with sitting in as Arsenal’s influence grew.Merino was adjudged to have handled itCalhanoglu’s spot kick separated the sidesCredit: AFPThree successive corners towards the end of the half came to nothing and Inter countered forcing William Saliba to put in a surprisingly unpunished timely foul.Taremi’s flick on hit Merino’s arm and in response, referee Istvan Kovacs pointed his arm to the spot as the clock ticked over to first half injury time.Merino looked baffled, and rightly so. His arm was barely outstretched and had little to no time to react or get out of the way from such close range.This was a harsh call, but one we have come to expect in the Champions League with European officials in charge, even if VAR did take their time in deeming it fair.It was an agonising wait for Calhanoglu with the ball on the spot, not that it showed in his finish down the middle.Raya was the hero in Bergamo with his spot-kick double-save to earn a 0-0 draw at Atalanta in Arsenal’s opener, but he could not produce a similar rescue act here.Arsenal trudged into half-time. To get anything, they would have to score against a side with more Champions League clean sheets than any other side over the past three seasons.Arteta sought a reaction, bringing off Merino for Gabriel Jesus and shoving Kai Havertz back into midfield, and got just that apart from the final finish.Saliba and Gabriel came close from corners, the latter seeing a flicked effort cleared off the line, and a dinked curler from Havertz almost caught out Sommer.READ MORE SUN STORIESHavertz then found space in the box with a snatched volley superbly deflected wide by Bisseck. Inter stood firm and were typically Italian in their slowing down of the game.It made Arteta irate, booked for his protests. The pressure is mounting to turn this around, and he knows it.Mikel Arteta looks on in frustrationCredit: Getty More

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      Kai Havertz left with blood pouring from his head after Arsenal star’s sickening clash of heads

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      KAI HAVERTZ was forced off with a bloodied face in the dying embers of Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.The Gunners’ star was involved in a horrid head collision with an Inter Milan player, leaving him with blood pouting down his face.Kai Havertz was left covered in blood after a sickening head collisionCredit: TNT SPORTSHavertz jumped up to try and win a header at a cornerCredit: BEINSPORTSHe clashed heads with Yann Aurel BisseckCredit: RexBoth players were left on the floor after the collisionCredit: PAArsenal were pushing for a late equaliser against the Italian giants when Havertz committed to a header in the box.Unfortunately for the German, Inter defender Yann Aurel Bisseck was just as enthusiastic to clear the ball and the pair clashed heads in the air.It was Havertz who came off worse as Bisseck’s head bashed straight into his eye.The 25-year-old needed immediate medical attention from the Arsenal staff as blood poured down his face.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMikel Arteta was ultimately forced to withdraw his centre-forward.But in a silver lining to a horrid moment, Havertz was replaced by Martin Odegaard – who returned to the pitch for the first time since suffering an ankle injury on international duty for Norway in September.But even the return of Arsenal’s captain and playmaker couldn’t get the Gunners over the line with any points to bring back to North London.Arteta’s side were unable to find the back of the net and lost their first Champions League game of the season, conceding their first goal in the competition this term too.Most read in FootballHavertz was covered in blood after the head clashCredit: GettyHe was removed from the pitch by Arsenal medical staffCredit: GettyMartin Odegaard replaced the GermanCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe 1-0 defeat came after a controversial penalty decision in the first half.Inter were awarded the spot-kick for a handball offence by Mikel Merino, but Arsenal fans and players were convinced that the Spaniard was too close to the initial contact for it to be given.Jamie Carragher SAVAGES Arsenal on Monday Night Football and says they’re ‘like a Mourinho team without the trophies’But Uefa’s handball rules meant that Merino was deemed to have handled the ball with his arm in an unnatural position and Hakan Çalhanoğlu dispatched the resulting penalty.There’s no rest for Arsenal now either with a trip to face Premier League rivals Chelsea next up this weekend. More

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      Arsenal looking for solutions after fixture clash forces move of Women’s Champions League game from Emirates 

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      ARSENAL have been forced to shift their Women’s Champions League battle with Bayern Munich from the Emirates due to a rescheduled Carabao Cup game. Fixture clash issues have left the Gunners seeking new alternatives for the December 18 match with the German giants. Meadow Park is being looked at as a potential alternative for Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League clash with BayernCredit: AlamyIn May Arsenal announced plans to host all its Women’s Champions League home games at the Emirates, should the team progress beyond the contest qualifiers.However they are facing a venue dilemma. Earlier today the EFL confirmed December 18 as the chosen date for their men’s team’s League Cup quarters battle with Crystal Palace. This means the club have the dilemma of looking for a new venue for their clash with Germany’s top-flight leaders. Read More Football StoriesSunSport understands officials are looking into solutions including the possibility of using Meadow Park as an alternative. The stadium, which is home to National League South side Boreham Wood FC, does not meet Uefa Infrastructure Regulations for Women’s Champions League group games.  However it is thought the extenuating circumstances of their match being moved from the Emirates could lead to use of the ground being considered. One Gunners fan group expressed dismay at the match being moved from the Emirates. Most read in FootballThe Arsenal Women’s Supporters Trust stated they were “really disappointed by the change in priorities for this game”. In a post published on the social media platform X they wrote: “It’s been set in stone for a while. “Now shifting the date affects so many people, especially travelling and international Gooners who have already booked flights and hotels.”Arsenal will face Brighton in the WSL on Friday 8 DecemberCredit: GettyAside from their European fixtures Arsenal are hosting all their WSL home games at the Emirates this term. Last May the Gunners drew the largest ever crowd to a women’s club match in England. A crowd of 60,063 attended their Champions League semi-final second leg defeat of Wolfsburg. More