Arsenal having to move their Women’s Champions League from Emirates Stadium because of a fixture clash with the men’s side is “disappointing” but was “bound to happen” at some point, says former Gunners defender Jen Beattie.
They will now play their high-profile match against Bayern Munich on 18 December at Meadow Park in Borehamwood.
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.
Speaking on the Women’s Football Weekly podcast, Beattie said: “There’s no doubt it’s disappointing but I knew there was always going to be a calendar clash at some point.
“We would maybe be a bit naive to think there was never going to be. Champions League fixtures don’t get put in until quite last minute.
“It is disappointing, the fans will be gutted, especially the ones that bought tickets to go to that game. It will change the atmosphere but it’s not going to change the game. It’ll just change the experience and the spectacle of it.”
Beattie says the club, which had promised to play all the team’s European fixtures at the club’s main stadium, need to look at how it happened and how they can fix it going forwards.
“I honestly believe it’s a one-off. I don’t think it’s really anyone’s fault. It might feel like going backwards a bit but it’s short term.
“It’s not a bad solution going back to Borehamwood, it’s been there home for so many years. They are comfortable there.”
Hear more from Beattie on the Women’s Football Weekly podcast.
