As per usual, Arsenal have made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Their 3-2 win away at Ludogorets in their last European outing was enough to confirm this, meaning Arsene Wenger’s men can focus on sealing top spot in the group when Paris Saint-Germain come to town on Wednesday night.
Arsenal drew 1-1 away at PSG in their opening Champions League fixture back in September and know that beating them at The Emirates will all but seal top spot for them in their group and, theoretically at least, a more favourable draw in the knock out stages.
With the French champions arriving in London earlier, it’s now emerged that they will be without Serge Aurier for the match after the full-back was refused entry into the UK.
The 23-year-old Ivorian was denied a visa to enter the UK having been found guilty of elbowing a police officer in an incident which took place in the French capital last May. As a result, Aurier was sentenced to two months in prison, but is still a free man pending an appeal.
In a statement, the Home Office said: “The immigration rules clearly state that non-EU nationals who have received a custodial sentence of less than 12 months within the last five years will be refused on criminality grounds.”
PSG confirmed the news on Tuesday, explaining that the Home Office had gone back on their original decision to grant him a visa. Adding that they had the support of Uefa on the matter, the statement also criticised the UK government’s decision not to inform them of the decision until the day prior to the match.
“Paris Saint-Germain strongly regrets that the presumption of innocence has not influenced Britain’s decision,” the French champions said.
“On several occasions, Uefa has also transmitted its total support of Paris Saint-Germain to the British authorities regarding this case, in order to preserve the integrity of its competitions.”
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