Arsenal’s Boxing Day derby off due to tube strike

Arsenal have confirmed that their Barclays Premier League clash with London rivals West Ham on Boxing Day has been postponed due to proposed industrial action on the tube.

London Underground drivers are to stage three strikes in a row over Bank Holiday pay, with the first scheduled for 26 December.

The move by members of the union Aslef threatens travel chaos in London and the Gunners have decided to call off the clash at Emirates Stadium, with both clubs’ fans in mind.

“As a result of Monday’s strike ballot and the proposed industrial action on London Underground on Boxing Day, Arsenal’s Premier League match against West Ham United at Emirates Stadium, originally planned for Wednesday, 26 December, has been postponed,” said a statement on the club’s website.

“This decision has been made now, due to the preparation period needed to safely operate Emirates Stadium by all the relevant agencies.

“The paramount concern was always the duty of care towards the Arsenal supporters, West Ham United supporters, matchday workers and indeed everyone who was planning to attend the game on Boxing Day.”

The fixture has yet to be rearranged but Arsenal did add: “The club can confirm that this rearranged fixture will be played on either Wednesday, 23 January (kick off 7:45pm) or Saturday, 26 January (kick off 3pm).

“The date of the fixture will be determined by the results in the FA Cup third round, which is being played on the weekend of Saturday, 5 January and Sunday, 6 January.”

Aslef members voted 90 per cent in favour of strikes in a long-running row over extra pay for working on bank holidays.

They are due to walk out for 24 hours on 26 December and on 18 and 25 January.

Meanwhile, there was good news for Arsenal fans yesterday when it was announced England midfielder Jack Wilshere is one of five British players to have agreed new long-term contracts.

Wilshere has committed his future to the Emirates Stadium club, alongside fellow internationals Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson and Aaron Ramsey.

“We are delighted that these five young players have all signed new long-term contracts,” manager Arsene Wenger said. “Jack is certainly the best known, the leader of this group – but the other four players are exceptional footballers.

“I believe when you have a core of British players, it’s easier to keep them together and that’s what we’ll try to achieve going forward,” Wenger said.

But Arsenal are yet to resolve their drawn-out contract stand-off with Theo Walcott, whose contract expires at the end of the season.