Arsenal have requested that their Premier League away game against Everton, originally set for Sunday, 21 December at 14:00, be moved to Saturday, 20 December at 20:00 BST. The move aims to prevent Mikel Arteta’s squad from playing two matches in just three days during the busy festive period.
The Premier League leaders are scheduled to face Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on 23 December, a fixture that was rescheduled from 16 December by the EFL to prevent Palace, who are competing in the Conference League, from playing three games in five days.
Arsenal’s request seeks to allow extra recovery time ahead of the crucial cup tie. While Saturday, 20 December is the club’s preferred date for their first visit to Hill Dickinson Stadium, it is understood that the Premier League is considering alternative dates as well.
Following the EFL’s adjustment of the cup fixture, Arteta commented:
“Hopefully they will move our Premier League match, because to play two days later doesn’t make any sense. So now we decide the date [for the EFL Cup match], I am sure they will change the Premier League [match] as well.”
