Mikel Arteta issues please to Premier League for Arsenal fixture change as Gunners learn EFL Cup quarter-final date

Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta claimed that it “makes no sense” to face Everton just two days before December’s EFL Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace.

The Gunners were drawn against Olivier Glasnerafter successfully negotiating a fourth round draw against Brighton & Hove Albion last week.

However, the draw caused a headache for the match organizers due to the busy schedule of both teams during the festive period.

The EFL has confirmed that the quarter-final will take place at the Emirates Stadium on December 23 at 8pm.

The competition will take place a week later than the other quarter-finals due to Palace’s Conference League commitments, with the Eagles due to face Finnish side KuPs on December 18.

Arteta calls for Premier League schedule change

Arteta is unhappy that his team will now face David Moyès‘s Everton in the Premier League just two days before hosting Palace in the EFL Cup.

The Arsenal manager has asked the Premier League to bring the away game forward from its original date of December 21.

“I hope they move the Premier League game because playing it on this date makes no sense,” Arteta told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s match. Champions League clash with Slavia Prague.

“So we will now decide the date. I’m sure they will change the Premier League date as well. I leave that to the club. I think we are very clear on what was the best thing, the most logical date to play. They brought a different date, so I’m sure we will have to adapt to that.

“I think, as I said earlier, I’m sure we will apply the principles of the players first, then the fans, and then the timescales we need to have equality and the same chances for every club. So I hope it will be fair.”

Crash of lighting fixtures in front of the palace

Arsenal will face Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 13 before their trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium. So there appears to be room in the schedule to move the game forward.

However, the same cannot be said of Arsenal’s EFL Cup quarter-final opponents, who will be unable to move their away clash against Leeds United on December 21 due to their European commitments.

As a result, Glasner’s men will face a demanding schedule which will see them play four matches between December 14 and 23.

Palace’s task is made all the more difficult as they begin this run of matches with a home clash against Manchester City.