Breathing Room for Arsenal and Palace: Premier League Reorders Fixtures to Ease December Grind

What the schedule change means

The Premier League officially adjusted the fixture list to avoid a brutal double-header for the leaders Arsenal and Crystal Palace, including their League Cup quarterfinal clash. The goal is to protect players from a relentless December run while keeping cup aspirations intact.

Both clubs are juggling European commitments—Arsenal in the Champions League and Crystal Palace in the Europa Conference League—so the rescheduling is aimed at reducing physical strain and preserving squad depth for the rest of the season.

The league had signaled a concern over calendar congestion caused by UEFA expansions, and the decision came after announcing Crystal Palace vs Arsenal for December 23 would be affected by those pressures.

On Tuesday, the league confirmed that Everton vs Arsenal and Leeds United vs Crystal Palace would shift from December 21 to December 20, allowing the teams a breather before their cup ties and league obligations resume in earnest.

In a statement, the league said protecting players’ health is a priority and that it agreed to the requests from Arsenal and Crystal Palace to adjust the dates. It also noted that other leagues scheduling amid European competition had influenced the decision and thanked Leeds United and Everton for their cooperation.

Arsenal added that playing two games within 48 hours would conflict with FIFA’s guideline calling for at least 72 hours of rest between matches, a rule designed to safeguard players’ health and match sharpness during peak periods like December.

Arsenal emphasized that the rest period is crucial for maintaining fitness, especially during the busy winter stretch when the season’s demands peak.

The club also explained that they chose not to push for a League Cup quarterfinal on the Christmas Eve/Day window because it would affect fans and staff alike, underscoring a balance between competitive needs and community considerations.

Solid defense, deep squad

Arsenal boasts a stout defense, a deep squad, and capable challengers around them. The defense is anchored by goalkeeper David Raya and a back line featuring Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Riccardo Calafiori, contributing to a remarkable defensive record this season.

In 17 appearances across all competitions, Arsenal have kept 13 clean sheets and conceded only two goals in their last nine matches. They have yielded five goals in the Premier League, while the attack has produced 21 league goals, including 12 from set-pieces, a tally surpassed only by Manchester City’s 23.

The squad’s depth is further underlined by a hefty summer outlay of around £250 million, reinforcing the team’s balance and options across positions.

The absence of key figures—Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz for extended spells, captain Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke, and Bukayo Saka at various times—has tested the squad, but Saka expressed confidence, telling Sky Sports that this is a very strong group with abundant quality and resilience to maintain their level when pieces are missing.

Former players and pundits have suggested Arsenal’s success won’t hinge on a single star; instead, the team’s depth across positions should help them sustain performance across multiple competitions, a necessary ingredient as City and Liverpool remain capable challengers.

City and Liverpool remain the realistic title contenders, though Pep Guardiola’s side has shown some inconsistency and Liverpool’s late-season form has rebounded after a rough patch. The belief is that Arsenal must sustain momentum and quickly restore form across the squad to convert potential into silverware.

Analysts from Opta project Arsenal to finish on around 80 points, a comfortable margin over Liverpool and City at 69 each, potentially making a title bid feasible with a 70-point threshold—an historically modest target in a league defined by high scoring campaigns. Manchester United’s 1996-97 title-winning tally of 75 points remains a benchmark for comparison.

Sky Sports’ projections put Arsenal at roughly a 66% chance to win the title, well ahead of City (12%) and Liverpool (11%), reflecting confidence in the team’s structure and stability as the season unfolds.

Caption: Arsenal and Crystal Palace navigate a compressed December as the Premier League adjusts fixtures.