Heaters being used in battle to prepare Kiev pitch for Arsenal game in extreme -7C temperatures
The game against Vorskla Poltava has already been moved 350km to the Olympic Stadium and the Gunners must be preparing for a frosty reception this evening
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IN THE latest twist in Arsenal's Europa League match saga, heaters are being used to warm the pitch with temperatures expected to fall to -7C this evening.
The game against Vorskla Poltava kicks off at 7.55pm local time in Kiev but the maximum temperature in the Ukrainian capital is -5 today - though the mercury can fall as low as -14 at times with wind making it feel even colder.
A large cover and heaters have been installed across the pitch but there is still plenty of snow and ice around - of course if the pitch was indeed frozen it would be unplayable... not that Vorskla would mind.
This fixture has been surrounded by controversy in recent days.
After Russia seized three Ukrainian vessels off the Crimean coast, martial law was introduced across parts of the country.
As a result, Uefa deemed it necessary to move the Europa League game 350km to the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, a four-hour drive away.
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The home side were understandably frustrated and threatened to boycott the match as they had no confirmation that the stadium would host the game and were none the wiser when it came to ticketing.
Speaking yesterday Vorskla could not guarantee it would go ahead.
Arsenal changed their travel plans at short notice and flew directly from Luton to Kiev yesterday before Unai Emery and Henrikh Mkhitaryan spoke to the media.
And the Armenian star - one of a limited number of senior players to make the journey - was sympathetic towards tonight's opponents.
He said: "We were ready to play in Poltava or Kiev. It is a long trip and for us, it doesn't matter where we play.
"For Poltava it is a big disadvantage because they wanted to play at home."
His boss was showed less compassion and implied it was now a case of both sides getting on with it.
Emery said: "It is Uefa's decision. In the 90 minutes, it is not a very big change. They are playing in Ukraine and not in their town but they are playing in Kiev, they can also move their supporters.
"The decision was not easy. It was a big responsibility. Uefa found the best decision to play and also with protecting everybody, us and them. We were waiting for this decision but with respect."
Around 500 Arsenal fans - all rang individually by the club to confirm where the match is taking place - are expected to be there tonight but it is unclear how many fans will be in the 70,000-seater stadium come kick-off.