Arsenal will benefit from Bayern Munich fans being banned from attending the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates.
UEFA sanctioned the reigning German champions earlier this week, with the supporters unable to attend the away fixture.
The ban was imposed after Bayern supporters threw fireworks onto the pitch during their match against Lazio earlier this month.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen admitted the club had to accept the ban, which was triggered after the latest incident against Lazio.
No Bayern Munich fans will attend the Champions League quarter-final first leg with Arsenal
Bayern have been hit with a one match ban after fans threw fireworks against Lazio this month
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side will benefit from Bayern Munich being sanctioned by UEFA
‘We have to accept this punishment. Not only were pyrotechnics set off, but also fired deliberately onto the field, directly endangering bystanders,’ said Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen.
‘This was such an explicit violation of the conditions of probation that an appeal is unfortunately futile.’
‘In general we’re very happy that we’re in the quarter-finals, but the fact we now have to play away without the support of our fans is a big blow.
‘A small group of individual offenders have done a disservice to all our supporters and the team.
‘However, I am confident that our team will find a way to deliver the top performance that will be needed in the quarter-finals.’
With Bayern Munich supporters banned from attending the match, Arsenal will be able to fill the away end with home supporters for the tie.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had hailed fans’ support ahead of their last-16 penalty shoot-out win over Porto this week.
Arsenal are set to be able to fill the whole Emirates with home supporters in the last eight
The Gunners are now set to benefit from having the entire crowd at the Emirates for the quarter-final first leg, which will take place on April 9 or 10.
Arsenal will travel to Bayern for the return fixture on April 16 or 17.
Bayern have beaten Arsenal in all four of their previous Champions League knock-ou matches, including winning both legs 5-1 in their last-16 clash in the 2016-17 season.
Harry Kane’s return to North London with Bayern will add further intrigue with Tottenham’s record goalscorer having scored 14 goals in 19 matches against their fiercest rivals.
