Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Image Credit: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta has voiced strong concerns over Arsenal’s congested December schedule after the club rejected Crystal Palace’s proposal to reschedule their Carabao Cup quarter-final to December 23.
The Gunners, drawn at home against Palace following their midweek win over Preston, face a potential pile-up of five games in just 13 days if alternative dates aren’t found, exacerbating an already demanding calendar.
READ MORE: 14 Arsenal players called up for international duty
Arteta labeled the December 23 slot as “unfair,” arguing it would disrupt player recovery and fan travel during the festive period. With both clubs involved in European competitions—Arsenal in the Champions League and Palace in the Conference League—midweek slots are scarce, leading to this scheduling headache.
🚨BREAKING: The Carabao Cup quarter-final between Arsenal and Crystal Palace will be played on December 23rd at 8pm.
The game will come just two days after The Gunners’ trip to Everton. pic.twitter.com/ViVXWSYvnC
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) November 3, 2025
The manager didn’t mince words on the broader issue, warning that “anything is possible” if congestion persists, even hinting at clubs potentially pulling out of competitions to protect players.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
This echoes growing calls for calendar reform, with Arteta urging respect for players and supporters. Arsenal’s December includes Premier League clashes with Brentford Aston Villa, and Wolves, plus European ties, making rotation essential—especially with injuries like those to Odegaard, Madueke, and Havertz lingering until post-November break.
This crunch tests Arsenal’s depth, built through summer signings, but raises injury risks in a title race where consistency is paramount. Fans will hope for a resolution with Mikel Arteta suggesting the game against Everton on December 21st now needs to be rescheduled.
As the festive period approaches, Arteta’s stance highlights the unsustainable demands on modern football. Will the EFL intervene? For now, Arsenal stands firm against what they see as an inequitable solution.
NEXT ARTICLE: Arsenal handed triple injury boost ahead of Champions League clash tomorrow night