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BOTH legs of Arsenal's Europa League clash with Benfica will be played at neutral grounds with the first leg moving from Portugal to Rome after sports teams were REFUSED exemptions on Covid hotel quarantine rules

The first leg of Arsenal's Europa League last-32 match against Benfica is set to be played in Rome.

The UK is implementing strict coronavirus quarantine rules around people returning from Portugal, which has forced the February 18 match to be moved from Lisbon to neutral territory.

Portugal is on a 'red list' of countries drawn up by the UK Government.

The first leg of Arsenal's Europa League clash with Benfica will be played in Rome

The home leg will also be an issue the following week, with Benfica barred from entering the country.

No decision has yet been taken on a venue for that match.