Arsenal's fixture dream comes into view while Tottenham and Chelsea are on the brink of scheduling chaos
12:00, 18 Dec 2025Updated 13:14, 18 Dec 2025
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds the fans following the team's victory during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2024 in London, England
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Arteta's side's schedule for February has been altered(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
Arsenal have discovered their fixtures for the month of February and part of March after the Premier League unveiled the broadcast rescheduling. Three of the Gunners’ games have moved, although their first in the second month of the year at home to Sunderland has remained on Saturday 7 February in the 3pm embargo time slot, meaning it will not be shown on UK television.
The midweek clash following the reunion of Granit Xhaka at the Emirates, however, has seen some change. Arsenal will now travel to Brentford at 8pm on Thursday; however, this fixture could change.
Should the Gunners successfully progress past Portsmouth (a) in the third round of the FA Cup on January 11, and either they or The Bees get drawn against a side in the fourth round who are due to play a Champions League knockout match, the fixture will move one day back to Wednesday.
The boost for Arsenal is that, having won all six of their eight European games, they are all but guaranteed a top-eight spot. The North London derby is scheduled to follow the FA Cup fourth round and the Champions League play-off week.
Spurs currently sit eleventh in the Champions League table, one point off eighth place, but must host Borussia Dortmund (10 th ) and go to Eintracht Frankfurt (30 th ). A win for Dortmund would put Thomas Frank’s side in a dangerous position and in likely peril of finishing outside the top eight, meaning having to play a match before the Gunners come to their North London rivals in the league.
The derby itself was moved back to Sunday, 22, meaning that Arteta will get another week’s rest should they qualify in the top eight as expected. The Spaniard is currently enjoying a midweek off action for the first time since the week commencing August 25.
Lastly, the revenge match with Chelsea, which sees the Blues come to the Emirates, has also been moved to March 1 at 4:30pm. The midweek before this game is the second leg of the Champions League play-offs.
The Blues are worse off than Spurs and sit 13th at present on 10 points, two off eighth place and with five teams ahead of them. After a tricky week, the mood is low in West London, and Enzo Maresca has been in the spotlight more than ever.
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The Blues are expected to win their home match against Cypriot side Pafos (26 th ), but end with a challenge as they travel to Napoli (23 rd ). Two teams fighting to make it into the play-offs.
Arsenal will be hoping both Spurs and Chelsea stumble in order to gain a slight edge in the week before both London derbies. Luck has somewhat abandoned the Gunners this season and so they could certainly do with a break such as this.