Arsenal Reject Crystal Palace Request to Reschedule Carabao Cup Quarter-Final Amid Fixture Congestion

Arsenal and Crystal Palace are in disagreement over the scheduling of their Carabao Cup quarter-final match, with Arsenal opposing Crystal Palace's request to move the game from December 16 to a later date such as December 23 or Christmas Eve. Palace faces a congested fixture list with three matches in five days around the current date, including Premier League and Conference League games. Arsenal, led by manager Mikel Arteta, insists on maintaining the original December 16 date, emphasizing fairness and the welfare of players and supporters. Arteta highlighted that all clubs were aware of their season's commitments from the outset and stressed the importance of managing fixture congestion responsibly. Both clubs are aware of the intense festive schedule and the need for adequate recovery periods between games. Arsenal currently leads the Premier League and aims to extend their advantage with upcoming matches, underscoring the importance of fixture scheduling for competitive balance and player health.