Arsenal and Crystal Palace are facing a potential scheduling conflict over their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie, with Arsenal opposing Palace's request to move the game to December 23. The Gunners and the Eagles are set to clash in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, but the congested fixture schedule is causing a headache for both clubs.
The Carabao Cup quarter-finals are scheduled to be played on December 16 and 17. However, Crystal Palace is already slated to host Finnish side KuPS in their final Conference League league phase tie on December 18. Adding to the congestion, Palace is also set to face Manchester City in the Premier League on December 14. This would mean Palace would have to play three games in just five days.
To alleviate this, Crystal Palace has requested that the Carabao Cup tie be moved to December 23, or possibly even Christmas Eve. However, Arsenal is against this proposal. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has voiced his concerns, stating that moving the match to December 23 would not be fair. He argues that Arsenal also has other competitions to consider and that the schedule should try to accommodate all teams.
Arsenal's preferred date for the match is December 16. However, this would place significant pressure on Crystal Palace. Playing on December 23 would give both Arsenal and Palace only two days to prepare for the quarter-final. Arsenal is set to play Everton on December 21, while Crystal Palace has a trip to Leeds on the same day.
Playing on Christmas Eve is also problematic due to policing and local transport concerns. Furthermore, it is expected that supporters would be unhappy with a Christmas Eve game. There was significant backlash two years ago when Chelsea and Wolves played on December 24.
Arteta emphasized the importance of player welfare and the supporters when making decisions about fixtures. He stated that every decision should be guided by these two principles.
The scheduling conflict highlights the ongoing issue of fixture congestion in football, particularly for clubs competing in multiple competitions. With the current calendar packed with Premier League, Carabao Cup, Conference League, and other commitments, finding suitable dates that ensure player welfare and minimize disruption for fans is a difficult task.
Talks are ongoing between stakeholders to find a solution. The final decision will need to balance the needs of both clubs, the concerns of the authorities, and the interests of the fans.
