Arsenal and Man City face having fixtures moved after Premier League statement

Need to know

The Premier League title race schedule could be altered in the coming weeks after the Premier League’s statement explaining the decision

Everything you need to know about potential fixture changes for Manchester City and Arsenal….

1. Match Status Update: The Premier League has announced that Arsenal’s home game against Everton and Manchester City’s trip to West Ham are now subject to change. The Gunners fixture was originally scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at 2pm, while City’s trip to the London Stadium was planned for Saturday, March 14 at 12:30pm.
2. Champions League Influence: The potential move is tied directly to the upcoming UEFA Champions League knockout stage draw. If both teams are scheduled to play a European match on Tuesday, March 17, they cannot play a domestic game the preceding Sunday.
3. The Confirmation Timeline: Supporters will have to wait until Friday, February 27, for a definitive answer on the match date. This is when UEFA will conduct its draw and confirm the specific dates for the next round of European fixtures.
4. Communication Breakdown: The Premier League previously confirmed the Sunday slot in January and warned UEFA about the scheduling conflict. However, UEFA has not yet provided the necessary guarantees to lock the Sunday fixture in place.
5. Short Notice Concerns: Because of the scheduling delay, the league may be forced to rearrange the match with very little lead time. This creates a difficult situation where the fixture could be moved just over two weeks before it is due to take place.
6. Impact on Supporters: Arsenal have acknowledged that these late changes cause significant inconvenience for fans planning to attend. Supporters are being advised to monitor official channels closely on Friday before finalising their travel or accommodation.
7. Broader Scheduling Pressure: This season features a record nine Premier League teams in European competitions, which complicates the domestic calendar. The league typically aims to provide six weeks’ notice for changes, but the current European format makes that goal difficult to achieve.
8. Local Policy Conflicts: Local authority rules also play a role, as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are generally not allowed to play at home on the same day. This restriction limits the available slots for rescheduling the game within the same weekend.

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