Arsenal will begin their Women’s Champions League campaign against Danish champions HB Køge on Tuesday evening, but not at the 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium.

The fixture will instead be staged at Meadow Park in Borehamwood, Arsenal Women’s former permanent home. The compact venue holds around 4,500 spectators and offers a very different setting from the vast arena where Arsenal now play their Women’s Super League matches.

The switch may remove some of the intimidation facing the Danish underdogs. As described by DR, HB Køge captain Mille Gejl is already familiar with Meadow Park from her time in English football.

Gejl knows what awaits

Gejl played at the ground with Crystal Palace and remembers an intense atmosphere inside the smaller stadium.

Read also: Greece turns against Infantino as FIFA opposition gathers momentum

“It would have been a great experience to play at the Emirates. But I played at Meadow Park the season before last with Crystal Palace, and I actually remember it as an incredibly good experience,” she said.

“I remember the stadium being full and the fans singing throughout the game. So I am actually looking forward to returning. If many people come, I think we will hear them more than we would at the Emirates.”

HB Køge coach Kristian Mørch Rasmussen also admitted that his players would have relished the opportunity to step onto one of England’s largest stages. However, he expects the playing surface and sporting conditions at Meadow Park to be of the highest standard.

“There are no better grass pitches in Denmark. The stadium may not have as many rows of seats as the Emirates, but the pitch is top class, and so are the players who will walk onto it. It will be a fantastic experience regardless,” Mørch said.

Read also: Former F1 team owner faces five years in prison as criminal trial date is set

Arsenal remain overwhelming favourites

A smaller stadium does not alter the considerable sporting gap between the teams. Arsenal won the Champions League in 2025 and reached the semi-finals last season, while HB Køge had to negotiate four qualifying matches to reach the league phase.

The clubs also met in the 2021–22 competition. Arsenal won 5–1 in Denmark before completing an 8–1 aggregate victory with a 3–0 home success.

Renée Slegers nevertheless expects a disciplined visiting side. The Arsenal coach highlighted HB Køge’s threat on the counterattack and predicted that the Danish champions would defend in a low block.

HB Køge reached the league phase by eliminating Riga, Hearts and PSV Eindhoven. The team arrive in London as clear outsiders, but with experienced internationals including Gejl, Nadia Nadim and Simone Boye available to guide their younger teammates.

Read also: Infantino opens door to major FIFA reform after plan sparks rebellion

A familiar setting offers a small opening

Meadow Park is hardly neutral territory. Arsenal have played there for years and remain accustomed to its dimensions and surroundings. Yet the move away from the Emirates removes one element that might have made an already difficult assignment even more daunting.

For Gejl in particular, the surroundings will contain few surprises. HB Køge still need an exceptional performance to secure a result, but facing Arsenal in a compact ground she already knows gives the Danish champions at least one small source of reassurance.

Read also: Harry Kane reveals future timeline as Man Utd and Barcelona circle