Arsenal Rejects Crystal Palace’s Request To Move League Cup Quarter-Final

‎Arsenal have rejected Crystal Palace’s request to move their League Cup quarter-final to December 23rd.

‎Mikel Arteta argued that such a change would be unfair, as it would force both sides to play twice within 48 hours. The match will instead take place on December 16th.

‎That date leaves Palace facing a punishing run of four fixtures in just eight days against Manchester City, Arsenal, KuPS, and Leeds.

‎Palace argued that both sides should have equal time to recover before the quarter-final, as Arsenal host Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 13th.

‎Crystal Palace were willing to play on Christmas Eve, but the idea was rejected following consultations with the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London due to limited transport services.

‎Arsenal, set to host the tie, were also against a Christmas Eve fixture. Palace then suggested December 23rd instead, though that date would clash with both clubs’ Premier League commitments two days earlier.

‎”I don’t think that’s fair, because we have other competitions we have to try to accommodate. We knew at the start of the season the competitions that each club is playing in,” Arteta said.

‎”On balance, we have to try to accommodate the best possible way for everybody… There are other options to December 23rd. Believe me, there are other options much better than this one. We already suggested that.”

‎The Spaniard warned that fixture congestion must be handled fairly, with player welfare in mind, or clubs might eventually consider withdrawing from competitions.

‎”I hope we don’t go (that far),” he said. “If we have that big piece of paper with those two principles there in front before making any decision, all of us in our industry, we won’t get there.

‎”If we don’t and we just ignore that, then anything is possible.”