Revealed: Why Arsenal's home Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace is causing a huge fixture headache for the Gunners, with no obvious solution to the problem
- Arsenal's progression in the Carabao Cup has left them with a huge headache
- None of the days of the week work and the EFL will decide when it is played
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Arsenal are facing a fixture clash headache which involves their men’s League Cup quarter-final and Women's Champions League group game.
The women’s side are due to host Bayern Munich at the Emirates on Wednesday, December 18.
The League Cup quarter-finals take place that same mid-week and Mikel Arteta’s side have been given a home draw against Crystal Palace. This presents the club with a complicated dilemma.
Palace are due to play Brighton on Monday, December 16, live on Sky Sports, meaning their Cup game with Arsenal could not be played on the Tuesday.
It is understood that the Premier League game could possibly be moved to the Sunday, but that would still not leave enough time in between fixtures for the Cup match to be played on the Tuesday.
Arsenal face a complicated fixture clash in December between the men's and women's teams
The women are scheduled to play on Wednesday in the Champions League at the Emirates
The men need to play Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup - but can't due any other day that week due to other fixtures
Thursday, December 19, is also not an option because Arsenal and Palace are scheduled to play each other on Saturday, December 21.
It would be possible for the game to be played on Wednesday 18 if the women’s game could be moved. But Borehamwood’s Meadow Park, where the women’s team used to play their home fixtures, does not meet UEFA’s stadium regulations.
Mail Sport understands the decision over the date of the League Cup game is in the hands of the EFL.
Arsenal announced in the summer that all Women’s Super League matches and Champions League group and knockout fixtures would be played at the Emirates. Tickets for the women’s game with Bayern have been on sale since September 28.
