Arsenal vs Barcelona pre-season friendly kick-off delayed by 36 minutes
Arsenal news: Kick-off for today's pre-season friendly with Barcelona has been delayed in Los Angeles
Arsenal's pre-season friendly with Barcelona in Los Angeles has been delayed by 36 minutes.
The Gunners were due to take on the La Liga champions at 3:30am (UK time) in the final game of the tour of the United States. However, at 2:53am it was confirmed via social media that kick-off at the SoFi Stadium had been 'moved back' 36 minutes.
Barcelona tweeted: "Kickoff of tonight's Arsenal Barca at SoFi Stadium has been moved back to 8:06pm."
No clear reason has been given as to why the game has been delayed. However, videos have surfaced online over concerns of the playing surface in Los Angeles.
football.london's Arsenal correspondent, Kaya Kaynak, is in attendance in Los Angeles and posted a short clip of the Arsenal players embracing the surface on social media.
The announcement of the delay in kick-off came almost immediately after Barcelona confirmed their starting 11 for the clash. Former Arsenal target Ilkay Gundogan was named in Xavi's midfield alongside fellow new signing Oriol Romeu. There is also a place for Raphinha - who was linked with a move to north London last summer.
The SoFi Stadium - home of Stan Kroenke's Los Angeles Rams - has not hosted a football match since the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final between Mexico and Panama, 10 days ago.
However, American country music singer Morgan Wallen hosted a concert at the stadium over the weekend.
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