The Premier League has approved Arsenal’s request to move their upcoming match against Everton to an earlier date following manager Mikel Arteta’s outspoken complaints about fixture congestion.
The Gunners were due to play the Toffees at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, but the club asked for the match to be brought forward to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, to avoid an exhausting turnaround ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace just three days later.
Arsenal Seek Relief from Gruelling Schedule
Arsenal’s progression to the last eight of the Carabao Cup created a scheduling headache. Their tie with Palace is set for Tuesday, December 23, meaning Arteta’s side would have had just 48 hours to recover from a Premier League match if no changes were made.
The Gunners’ frustration was compounded by the fact that the EFL initially scheduled the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for December 16 but later postponed them to accommodate Palace’s UEFA Conference League commitments. The reshuffle left both London clubs facing an unreasonable fixture pile-up just before Christmas.
Speaking in the aftermath of the scheduling announcement, Arteta made his feelings clear:
“Hopefully they will move our Premier League match because to play two days later doesn’t make any sense. We’re very clear on what’s best for the players and the game. The logical solution is to bring the league game forward. I’ll leave that to the club, but I’m confident common sense will prevail.”
Arteta has been a vocal critic of the congested English football calendar throughout his tenure, repeatedly calling for more cooperation between domestic and European organizers.
Palace Join Arsenal in Demanding Change
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner shared Arteta’s frustrations earlier this season, describing the schedule as “irresponsible” and “impossible” for player welfare. Palace, who were due to face Leeds United on December 21, also requested that their match be moved forward by one day.
“I was really upset when I heard it for the first time,” Glasner admitted. “Playing Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday would be reckless. It’s important that the Premier League, UEFA, and the FA actually talk to each other to prevent this. This is their job.”
Both Arsenal and Palace were ultimately successful in their appeals, with the Premier League confirming on Tuesday that the requested changes had been approved.
Official Confirmation from Both Clubs
In a joint development, Arsenal and Palace released official statements outlining the revised schedule.
Arsenal’s statement read:
“Our Premier League match at Everton in December has been rescheduled. The fixture at the Toffees’ new Hill Dickinson Stadium will now take place on Saturday, December 20 at 8 p.m., instead of Sunday, December 21.
The EFL scheduled our Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, December 23 due to the Eagles’ participation in the UEFA Conference League. To avoid playing two matches in 48 hours, we requested a change in dialogue with the Premier League and Everton.
Playing two matches within a 48-hour window contravenes FIFA recommendations, which call for a minimum of 72 hours between fixtures to protect player health and recovery, particularly during the busy December period.”
Palace echoed those sentiments in their own announcement:
“Crystal Palace’s Premier League fixture away to Leeds United has been moved from Sunday, December 21, to Saturday, December 20 at 8 p.m. GMT. This change, made in consultation with the Premier League, allows the team appropriate recovery time ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal on December 23.”
The Blame Game: EFL Points Finger at UEFA
The English Football League (EFL) has defended its decision-making, instead placing the blame squarely on UEFA for expanding its European competitions and leaving domestic leagues with fewer available dates.
In an official statement, the EFL said:
“In determining the schedule for the quarter-finals, the League recognises the challenge it presents to Arsenal and Crystal Palace and shares the concerns of both managers.
The expansion of European competitions and the increase in exclusive match nights across Europe have made such scheduling conflicts unavoidable. These changes, implemented without adequate consultation with domestic leagues, are putting a strain on traditional football calendars.
While we have made efforts to compromise, continuing to do so indefinitely undermines the integrity and value of the EFL Cup — a competition that provides vital revenue to EFL clubs and remains an important part of English football tradition.”
A Wider Debate About Player Welfare
The situation has reignited the ongoing debate about fixture congestion in modern football. With teams competing across multiple domestic and European tournaments, the demand on elite players is at an all-time high.
FIFA and player unions have repeatedly warned about the long-term physical and mental toll of relentless scheduling, yet the calendar continues to grow denser.
For Arsenal, the rescheduling represents a small but significant victory in their fight for fairness. The Gunners will now have a three-day recovery window between their trip to Everton and the Carabao Cup showdown with Palace — a decision that could make all the difference in their pursuit of silverware this season.
