Arsenal's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace has been rescheduled by the EFL during the incredibly busy pre-Christmas period, leaving neither side happy
Arsenal's Dutch defender #12 Jurrien Timber (L) vies with Crystal Palace's Japanese midfielder #18 Daichi Kamada (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 26, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Dutch defender #12 Jurrien Timber (L) vies with Crystal Palace's Japanese midfielder #18 Daichi Kamada (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 26, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
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The EFL has bemoaned the Carabao Cup being "undermined" by European competitions after being forced to reschedule Arsenal's quarter-final against Crystal Palace. The Gunners will host Palace at the Emirates Stadium on December 23 in a period of heavy fixture congestion for both sides.
Palace's involvement in the Conference League posed a problem for the EFL, which has been forced to move the match. Oliver Glasner's side host Finnish club KuPS at Selhurst Park on December 18, meaning they can't play their Carabao Cup match that week, when the other three quarter-finals are.
Instead, the EFL has annoyed Arsenal by shifting the fixture to a date Mikel Arteta previously claimed wouldn't be "fair". Nevertheless, Palace have been left facing four matches in nine days - a compromise which the EFL blames on the "expansion of European cup competitions" which was "implemented without adequate consultation with domestic leagues".
In a statement, the organisation said: "In determining the schedule for the Quarter Finals, the League recognises the challenge it presents to Arsenal and Crystal Palace in particular, and the frustration and concern that will undoubtedly be felt by their managers and players. These are concerns which are shared by the League.
"The expansion of European cup competitions and number of exclusive match nights across Europe ahead of the 2024/25 season, implemented without adequate consultation with domestic leagues, means that such scheduling conflicts – for both the EFL Cup and other competitions – are now entirely unavoidable.
"With those teams competing in Europe already entering the EFL Cup in Round Three and having been forced to implement further draw conditions to avoid scheduling conflicts at that stage of the competition in the past two seasons, we have shown a willingness to compromise.
"However, to continue making endless concessions only serves to undermine the reputation of the EFL Cup – a competition which delivers vital revenue to EFL Clubs and provides millions of supporters with the opportunity to back their team on the road to Wembley each season.
The Carabao Cup trophy on display
The EFL says the Carabao Cup is being pushed aside by European competitions
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"It also challenges the traditional scheduling of the English football calendar and strength of our domestic game, which relies upon teams having the necessary time for preparation and ability to field their strongest lineups, in order to entertain their supporters and progress through the competition."
Speaking on the weekend, before the decision was made, Palace boss Glasner said: "I can't believe this won't be fixed. It would be irresponsible for the players and we have a responsibility for them and we have to look after their welfare, but not just ours at the club.
"I was really upset when I heard it for the first time yesterday. I couldn't even believe that they were considering this."
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