Mikel Arteta has urged the Premier League to move Arsenal’s league game against Everton after their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace was shifted to December 23, creating a congested fixture list.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on the Premier League to move his team’s upcoming match against Everton to avoid playing two games within three days following the rescheduling of their Carabao Cup tie.
The EFL confirmed on Monday that Arsenal’s quarter-final clash with Crystal Palace would now take place on December 23, citing fixture congestion as “entirely unavoidable.” The match was originally planned for December 16 but was moved to ease Palace’s schedule, as the London club would have faced four games in eight days.
Arteta, however, is now concerned that Arsenal will play Everton on December 21 and then Palace just two days later. “Hopefully they will move our Premier League match, because to play two days later doesn’t make any sense,” he said ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague.
He added, “We have seven players out, so I don’t know what depth we’re talking about now because we’re missing a lot of players.”
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner earlier described the original December 16 date as “irresponsible.” The new fixture has been confirmed for December 23 at 8pm, with both clubs awaiting confirmation on possible league schedule changes.