Henrikh Mkhitaryan expressed sympathy for Arsenal's Europa League opponents after they lost their home element, saying it is a 'big disadvantage' for Vorskla Poltava to play in Kiev.
Ukraine's parliament imposed martial law on Monday amid rising tensions with Russia and UEFA relocated the match 210 miles away from Poltava to the capital, citing security concerns.
Mkhitaryan explained that the Premier League side were always going to have to make a long journey no matter what, but that the stadium switch has hurt Vorskla.
'We were ready to play in Poltava or Kiev,' said Mkhitaryan, one of the few senior players who has travelled to Ukraine. 'It is a long trip and for us, it doesn't matter where we play.
'For Poltava it is a big disadvantage because they wanted to play at home.'
Unai Emery was less sympathetic as he said: 'It is UEFA's decision.
'In the 90 minutes, it is not a very big change. They are playing in Ukraine and not in their town but they are playing in Kiev, they can also move their supporters.
'The decision was not easy. It was a big responsibility. UEFA found the best decision to play and also with protecting everybody, us and them. We were waiting for this decision but with respect.'
Around 500 Arsenal fans were expected to attend the Europa League clash but it remains to be seen how many will make it to the 70,000-seater Olympic Stadium.
Staff at the stadium placed a cover over the pitch and were using heaters with the temperature in Kiev set to plummet as low as –14C on Thursday.