Arsenal are on a collision course with the EFL after being handed a difficult dilemma (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal are on a collision course with the EFL after being handed a tricky fixture dilemma with no obvious solution. Their victory over Preston North End in midweek to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals has seemingly caused a huge problem.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been drawn against Crystal Palace in the last eight, with the game set to be played the week before Christmas. However, their women’s team are due to host Bayern Munich in the Champions League that same week.
It presents Arsenal with a complicated dilemma, given that Palace are due to face Brighton in the Premier League on the Monday. As a result, their cup game against Arsenal will not be able to take place on the Tuesday.
The women’s side are due to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League that same week (Image: GETTY)
The match involving Palace and Brighton could still be moved to the Sunday, according to the Daily Mail. However, this would not leave enough time between matches for the Carabao Cup fixture to be played on the Tuesday.
The women’s game against Bayern Munich is already pencilled in for the Wednesday and will take place at the Emirates Stadium. All of their Champions League fixtures will be played at the Emirates this season and tickets have been on sale since September.
It would be possible for the Carabao Cup game to take place on the Wednesday if the women’s fixture could be moved to Meadow Park in Borehamwood. However, that stadium does not meet UEFA requirements and cannot host Champions League games.
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Meanwhile, Arsenal’s game against Palace will also be unable to take place on the Thursday or the Friday because the two clubs are scheduled to face each other in the Premier League on the Saturday.
The decision over the date of the Carabao Cup match is in the hands of the EFL, but it remains to be seen what will happen with no clear solution to the problem.
Dates and timings for the quarter-final matches are yet to be finalised but all of the games are due to be shown live on Sky Sports, with one featured match being shown on a main channel and the rest available via the red button.
Arsenal will be the heavy favourites to progress against Crystal Palace, especially with the added benefit of home advantage. The Gunners have not won the Carabao Cup since 1993 and will be hoping to break that duck by lifting the trophy this season.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1970150/Arsenal-EFL-Carabao-Cup