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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
ALEX YOUNG

Why are Arsenal playing Vitoria on Wednesday in the Europa League?

Arsenal are back in action in the Europa League this week but not in the usual Thursday slot.

The Gunners travel to Portugal to take on Vitoria SC, having narrowly beaten their Group H opponents 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium two weeks ago.

Vitoria play their games at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques, which is within 25 minutes drive of rivals Braga who are also competing in the Europa League this season.

Braga host Besiktas at the Braga Municipal Stadium on Thursday at 8pm GMT.

To prevent both sets of fans ascending on the area on the same day, Vitoria's home game with Arsenal has been brought forward.

When does Vitoria vs Arsenal kick-off?

The game will now take place on Wednesday at 3.50pm GMT.

The early kick off time is to accomodate Champions League broadcasters with Bayern and Juventus in action against Olympiacos and Lokomotiv Moscow, respectively, from 5.55pm GMT.

A welcome return to playing a European game on a Wednesday for the Gunners.

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