Arsenal Requests Change to Premier League Schedule Ahead of Christmas
Arsenal has requested that their Premier League match against Everton, scheduled for the weekend before Christmas, be moved to an earlier date to avoid playing two matches within three days.
The Gunners have formally applied for the game, currently set for Sunday, December 21, at 14:00, to be rescheduled to Saturday, December 20, at 20:00 BST.
As Premier League leaders, Arsenal will also be competing in the EFL Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace on December 23.
This cup match was rescheduled by the EFL from its original date of December 16 to prevent Crystal Palace, who are also participating in European competition, from playing three matches in five days.
Arsenal is seeking to shift the Everton game to provide their players with additional recovery time ahead of the clash with Palace.
While Arsenal has expressed a strong preference for the match to be moved to Saturday, it is understood that the Premier League is considering various options for the scheduling.
Following the EFL's decision to change the cup quarter-final date, Arsenal manager Mikel 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."