Mikel Arteta speaks at a press conference, with an Everton badge in a circular frame
Credit: Arsenal TV and Imago
Daniel Lewis
Mon 3 November 2025 19:23, UK
Mikel Arteta has called on the Premier League to step in and potentially move Arsenal’s clash with Everton next month.
Everton face a busy December as they have six matches in the final month of the year, including a clash with Arsenal on Sunday 21.
There are still three games to be played in November, including Everton’s trip to Sunderland on Monday night, but fans will already be making travel plans for the Christmas period.
There is still a chance that the Arsenal game next month could be moved, though, if Gunners boss Arteta’s wishes are granted.
Mikel Arteta not happy with Crystal Palace fixture announcement
Arsenal have an even busier December than Everton given they are competing in two other competitions next month.
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The Gunners have eight games in total, including an EFL Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace, the date of which was confirmed on Monday in a surprise announcement.
Due to Palace being involved in Thursday night Europa Conference League fixtures, it has proved difficult finding an available date that suits both sides.
And so that match will now be sandwiched in on December 23, which is just two days after Arsenal are due to travel to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
That leaves Arsenal with just one day off between matches in a pretty unprecedented move, which Arteta is rightly unhappy about.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, he made his thoughts clear.
“Hopefully they will move our Premier League match, because playing two days later doesn’t make sense,” Arteta told reporters.
Everton’s December fixtures in full