Arsenal UCL game to go ahead despite ISIS threat as security stepped up

Security has been stepped up for this week’s Champions League matches after Islamic State terrorists issued a chilling threat.

An image of a masked gunman and the words “kill them all”, alongside the names of four football stadiums, was published by a pro-IS media channel. The venues included Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, where the north London club host Bayern Munich in their quarter final first leg match.

Others listed were Real Madrid’s Bernabeu, where Man City play tonight, Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, where the home side play Borussia Dortmund, and the Parc des Princes, ahead of the clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

Uefa said it was aware of the threats but said the games in Madrid, Paris and London would go ahead as planned. Before tonight's match in London the Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: "The UK terrorism threat level remains at 'substantial', meaning an attack is likely, and we work closely with colleagues from across Counter Terrorism Policing in planning for events here in London, to take into account any relevant information that could help us to keep those attending safe.

"We're aware of online and media reports in relation to calls to target matches across Europe and here in London. However, I want to reassure the public that we have a robust policing plan in place for tonight's match and we continue to work closely alongside the club's security team to ensure that the match passes peacefully."

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said there would be "considerably reinforced" security measures in place when PSG play Barcelona tomorrow. He said: “Given how important the Champions League is for football, we are of course talking to our partners."