Official lunch with the directors of Arsenal at Liceu

An official lunch between directors of Arsenal and FC Barcelona took place at midday at the famous Liceu of Barcelona ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League match at Camp Nou.

The attendees were able to take in all of the concert hall’s glory. With its 2,292 seats, Liceu is the largest Italian-style opera house in Europe and the second in the world after the Teatro Colón of Buenos Aires.

The lunch was attended by representatives of both clubs, of UEFA and of the embassy and consulate of Great Britain. On behalf of Arsenal were chairman Sir Chips Keswick, directors Ivan Gazidis, Richard Carr and Harris Lord, general secretary David Miles, and director of football operations Dick Law.

Representing Barça were president Josep Maria Bartomeu, vice-presidents Carles Vilarrubí, Manel Arroyo and Susana Monje, director of football Raúl Sanllehí as well as the Club's delegates for relations with UEFA Amador Bernabeu and David Bellver.

On behalf of UEFA was match delegate Bernd Barutta, and representing the embassy and consulate of Great Britain was Simon Manley, ambassador of Great Britain to Spain, Consul General of Great Britain to Barcelona Lloyd Milen plus Consular Regional Director for Southern Europe Will Middleton.

Before lunch, four singers of the Choir of Liceu who are part of a group called 'Barcelona 4 Cats' sang a couple of songs a cappella.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu said: "We invited the directors of Arsenal at Liceu to show that Barcelona is a welcoming city and takes good care of its guests”.