Arsenal could be left with just two days to recover for a potential Champions League semi-final second leg, should they progress past Real Madrid next month. The Gunners are looking to reach the final four for the first time in 20 years.
It is a tall order for them to beat Madrid and the reward will be a complicated week for Mikel Arteta further down the line. With Premier League fixture changes announced on Tuesday, Arsenal could be set for a busy 48 hours.
If they are to overcome the reigning Champions League holders then Arsenal will play Crystal Palace in the Premier League on April 26 at home. They would then host the first leg of the semi-final (against one of Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa) on April 29/30.
The knockout stage draw means that Arsenal already know they would play the first match at the Emirates Stadium. The date, however, is not released until after the quarter-finals are finished.
If Arsenal play on Tuesday 29 then the return leg, in Paris or the Midlands, would then be on Wednesday 7, or vice versa. Whilst there is nothing particularly strange about this, their Premier League match in between the quarter-final fixtures is also in limbo.
Depending on Manchester United and Tottenham's Europa League success, Arsenal's home clash with Bournemouth will be moved. Should either United or Spurs make the semi-finals themselves, the match with the Cherries would be moved from Saturday, May 3, at 5.30pm to Sunday, May 4, at 2pm.
United face Lyon and Tottenham are against Frankfurt. Both sides have it all to play for as winning the competition is their only route back into the Champions League for next season. Neither are likely to qualify for any form of European football via the league.
One of the two going through is very much possible. This would then alter Arsenal's plans ahead of the second leg of their own semi-final.
It is almost certain that Arsenal would not be asked to play their Champions League matches on April 29 and May 6 if Spurs or United get through because that would only allow for one day of rest between Bournemouth and the second leg. Instead, Arsenal would be more likely to play Palace on April 26, semi-final one on April 30, Bournemouth on May 4, and semi-final two on May 7.
That would still only allow one full day of rest before travelling to the away second leg. For Arteta it would be a serious test of his squad management. Before that, Arsenal have to get there in the first place.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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