Arsenal's request for Uefa to measure the grass length at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano before their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid has been dismissed, as the pitch was found to be within regulations. The Gunners' ground staff raised concerns after warming up on the surface, but measurements taken two hours before kick-off showed the grass was 26 millimetres, well within the permitted 21-30 millimetre range.
The same height was recorded when Atletico hosted Barcelona in the quarter-finals, a game they lost 2-1 but progressed on aggregate. Arsenal come into the match with questions over their form, having beaten Newcastle unconvincingly at the weekend to go top of the Premier League, following a poor run.
The north London side edged past Sporting Lisbon in the last round with a last-minute winner in Portugal and a goalless draw at the Emirates. They remain the only unbeaten team in the competition. Captain Martin Odegaard said the squad has evolved from last season's semi-final exit, adding: 'We're stronger in different ways... we're ready to go.'
Arsenal named a front three of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze on the bench. Atletico, who lost 4-0 in London earlier this season, have never lost at home to an English side in the Champions League knockout stages and have progressed from six of their last seven European semi-finals.
