Arsenal vow fan safety in Moscow clash is ‘top priority’

Arsenal have promised to make supporter safety their top priority whenthe Premier League club face CSKA Moscow in the Europa Leaguequarter-finals at a time of strained relations between Britain andRussia.British Prime Minister Theresa May this week expelled 23 Russiandiplomats over the nerve agent poisoning of a former spy, and saidBritish royals and ministers would not attend the World Cup in Russiathis year. The first leg of the Arsenal-CSKA tie will take place inLondon on April 5 with the return leg in the Russian capital on April12.The trip to Moscow will be under scrutiny until the tie begins, with oneGunners supporters’ group calling it “a hot potato of a draw in view ofthe political stand-off”.But Arsenal chiefs insist they want to make sure everything is in place to provide a safe environment.“The safety of our fans is always a top priority for us and we will beworking with the relevant authorities in London and Moscow inpreparation for the game,” a club spokesman said.Arsenal also posted a statement on their website drawing the attentionof fans to travel advice issued by Britain’s Foreign Office, which said:“Due to heightened political tensions between the UK and Russia, youshould be aware of the possibility of anti-British sentiment orharassment at this time.“You’re advised to remain vigilant, avoid any protests or demonstrationsand avoid commenting publicly on political developments.”The competition represents Arsenal’s only remaining chance of winning atrophy this season and their sole chance of qualifying for next season’sChampions League.Atletico Madrid, who won the Europa League in 2010 and 2012 and werelosing Champions League finalists in two of the last four seasons, arethe most imposing of the quarter-finalists. They take on SportingLisbon, with the first leg in Portugal, for a place in the last four. Marseille, the only former Champions League winner left in thecompetition, face rising German force RB Leipzig, who are competing inEurope for the first time. Former Barcelona ‘keeper Andoni Zubizarreta and current Marseille sportsdirector was upbeat about being France’s last remaining Frenchrepresentative in UEFA competition.“PSG and Lyon are gone. And the final (of the Europa League) is in Lyon. We are the only French side left, nobody was thinking about us but here we are. We are very happy to be in the quarters. “Representing France in a competition whose final is in France, Lyon isnot far from us, it’s really quite something,” said Zubizarreta. Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg, finalists in 1994 but very much the minnowsof this year’s last eight, travel to Rome for their first leg againstLazio.All the matches will be played on April 5 and April 12.The final at the Parc OL in Lyon is on Wednesday May 16.