Arsenal’s Champions League trip to Barcelona moved because of the Spanish general strike

Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League trip to Barcelona has been pushed back a day because of a planned general strike in Spain.

The match was scheduled to take place at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday 11 November. It will now be played at the same venue on Thursday 12 November. Kick-off time will be 18:45 CET (17:45 GMT). Tickets purchased for the initial date are still valid, and further tickets are available for sale.

Why it was moved

The walkout was called over concerns at housing costs and general living expenses in Catalonia. There were fears it would have affected not only public transport but also matchday running operations in the city.

Barcelona had apparently asked UEFA to move the fixture forward to Tuesday, 10 November, meaning Arsenal would have had to rearrange their Women’s Super League clash with Liverpool. The latter date is the preferable one for them.

A standout tie

This is one of the biggest fixtures of the league phase. Arsenal have been drawn against reigning champions Barcelona and eight-time winners Lyon, as well as facing Paris FC and Inter Milan on the road. Their home games are against Lyon, Benfica and HB Køge.

It will be the first encounter between the sides since the 2025 final in Lisbon. Stina Blackstenius won with the only goal, giving Arsenal their second European title and denying Barcelona a third straight crown. Prior to that, Barcelona had enjoyed a double over their rivals, with wins of 4-1 and 4-0 in the 2021/22 group stage.

The sides arrive in very different positions. Arsenal lost to Lyon in last season’s semi-finals, while Barcelona went on to win the trophy back. But Barcelona are now in a period of transition after the summer departures of Alexia Putellas, Salma Paralluelo and Ona Batlle.

Batlle joined Arsenal on a free transfer when her contract expired and has played in every game for Renée Slegers’ side apart from last month’s home win over HB Køge.

Arsenal’s difficult start

Arsenal have struggled this season. They have just five points from five league games. They have also won only two of seven matches in all competitions. Their hopes of a first Women’s Super League title since 2019 are already fading. As a result, the Champions League may offer their best chance of major silverware this season.

The league phase finishes on 16 December, and the top teams go through to the knockout rounds in the new year.