Arsenal issue statement after Isis threatens to target Champions League match

Arsenal have released a statement after Isis threatened to target their Champions League match against Bayern Munich.

German champions Bayern Munich visit the Emirates Stadium in north London on Tuesday night for the first leg of their quarter-final tie with Arsenal.

On Tuesday, a media outlet linked to the terror group Isis issued a threat concerning all four of this week’s Champions League ties, with Manchester City also in action at Real Madrid.

The Al Azaim Foundation, often responsible for spreading messages from Isis, shared a sinister poster which included the message ‘Kill them all’ alongside the names of the four stadiums staging this week’s matches.

UEFA have since confirmed that the games will go ahead as planned and Arsenal have now issued a statement of their own.

‘We work closely with the Metropolitan Police regarding the safety and security of all supporters and staff at Emirates Stadium for all our matches,’ it read.

‘Our planning for tonight’s fixture is no different and our approach, working together with the Police and UEFA, is proportionate to the current UK threat level.’

While Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City are in action tonight, Atletico Madrid face Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona travel to Paris Saint-Germain tomorrow.

Police in Spain have confirmed they are on high alert in the wake of the threat as Premier League champions Manchester City prepare to face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

‘In terms of preventing the terrorist threat, the state security forces and bodies have activated all their early warning and protection systems, as well as all their response mechanisms ready and willing,’ Fernando Grand-Marlask, Head of The Ministry of the Interior, said in a statement.

The Met Police are also ‘aware’ of the threat issued and have reassured the public they have a ‘robust policing plan’ in place covering Arsenal’s clash with Bayern Munich in London.

‘We’re aware of online and media reports in relation to calls to target matches across Europe and here in London,’ a statement read. ‘However, I want to reassure the public that we have a robust policing plan in place for tonight’s match.’

Isis’ threat comes less than a month since the organisation claimed responsibility for the attack at Moscow’s Crocus Concert Hall which left in excess of 143 people dead and over 200 injured.

More to follow…