Why Arsenal are not playing their Carabao Cup quarter-final this week | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Carabao Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace will not take place this week, the fixture has been rearranged for 23 December.

The EFL said in a statement that the quarter-final schedule poses particular challenges for both clubs, adding that expanded European competitions and more exclusive match nights ahead of 2024/25 have created unavoidable clashes. It added that constant concessions would undermine the competition and disrupt the domestic calendar.

Arsenal beat Port Vale in round three, then saw off Brighton 2-0 at the Emirates in late October to set up the London tie. Palace won 3-0 at Liverpool in round four as they chase success in the other domestic cup after last season’s FA Cup glory.

The game will not be played on 16 or 17 December. Arsenal pushed for a Tuesday night date, but that would have left Oliver Glasner’s side facing three matches in five days. Palace lost to Manchester City on Sunday, a result that reduced Arsenal’s lead at the Premier League summit to two points, and they finish their Conference League league phase against KuPS on Thursday, 18 December.

Both teams will still be in the hat for the semi-final draw, expected after Newcastle vs Fulham on Wednesday night.

The sides will have equal rest before the Emirates meeting, with their Premier League fixtures against Everton and Leeds moved to Saturday, 20 December for an 8pm kick-off.

Source: The Standard