Arsenal have resisted Crystal Palace’s request to move the League Cup quarter-final to December 23. Manager Mikel Arteta said it would be unfair for both teams to play twice in just 48 hours.
The match is now scheduled for December 16 and is part of a grueling run of four games in eight days for Palace. They play Manchester City in the Premier League on December 14 and KuPS in the Conference League on December 18, before returning to the league away at Leeds on December 21.
Palace argued that both sides should have equal time to recover before the quarter-final, with Arsenal hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 13.
The south London club were open to playing a match on Christmas Eve, but that option was ruled out after discussions with the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London, which cited limited public transport services.
READ ALSO: Premier League confirms only one match on Boxing Day due to scheduling issues
Arsenal, the home side, were also against playing on Christmas Eve, while Palace later suggested December 23 as an alternative, two days before Arsenal’s trip to Everton (December 21), which started at the same time as Palace’s match at Leeds.
«I don’t think that’s fair because we also have other competitions to take into account. We knew at the start of the season which competitions each club plays in,» Arteta said.
«On balance, we have to try to provide the best possible way for everyone… There are other options (options until December 23). Believe me, there are other options that are much better than this. We have already proposed that.»
The Spaniard warned that fairness and player welfare must be taken into account or clubs could ultimately consider withdrawing from the competition.
“I hope we don’t go (that far),” he said. “If we have that big piece of paper with these two principles on the front before we make a decision, none of us in our industry will get there.
“If we don’t do that and just ignore it, then anything is possible.”
Published on November 1, 2025
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/bride-walking-down-aisle-at-wedding-070425-81e704860619405ba62ccdbabbd2f279.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "A la novia le preocupa que la lista de invitados a su boda de destino moleste a los padres del novio")
