We were originally scheduled to host the Gunners in a London derby at Stamford Bridge, but the fixture has been moved to the Academy’s regular home in Kingston-upon-Thames. This is due to the inclement weather experienced at Stamford Bridge in the build-up to the Champions League home tie against Zenit St Petersburg on Tuesday. Kick-off for Sunday’s development squad game remains at midday.

Tickets purchased to watch the Premier League 2 match at Stamford Bridge will no longer be valid at the new venue. All supporters who bought one of these tickets will automatically receive a refund for the full amount within the next seven to 10 working days.

If travel costs to Stamford Bridge have already been incurred, for these to be reimbursed the details and a receipt for the expenditure will need to be emailed to [email protected] by 5pm on 29 October.

Those wishing to attend at Kingsmeadow will need to purchase new tickets, which can be done online here until 4pm on Friday 17 September, or in person from the ticket office at Kingsmeadow on the day of the game. Please note payment at the ticket office is by card only.

In addition to this change of venue, our home and away Premier League 2 fixtures against Blackburn Rovers have been reversed, meaning we will now host them at Cobham at midday on Sunday 3 October and travel to Blackburn on Monday 2 May, while the kick-off time for our visit to Leicester City in the same competition on Saturday 23 October has changed to 5pm.Those attending Sunday’s game at Kingsmeadow should be aware that the ground is subject to the same security and Covid-19 restrictions as Stamford Bridge following recent regulation changes.

This means a strict limit on the size of bags that can be taken into the stadium, with A4 (30cm x 20cm x 10cm) the largest size permitted, to improve security and reduce congestion during entry. Baggage deposit facilities are not available, so fans are strongly advised not to bring any bags to matches.

Supporters will also be required to provide evidence they are at low risk of transmitting Covid-19, through either a full vaccination (with both doses received at least 14 days prior to the match) or a negative Lateral Flow Test (from age 11 and over) carried out within 48 hours of kick-off.

All those attending will be required to wear masks in all indoor areas of the stadium, except when they are eating or drinking. Masks are not required when seated or walking outside the stadium.