Arsenal handed fixture clash headache as Carabao Cup quarter-final dates confirmed
The date for Arsenal's Carabao Cup quarter-final at home to Crystal Palace has been confirmed as Wednesday, December 18 - but now the Gunners have a scheduling problem
by Nathan Ridley · The MirrorArsenal have been handed a fixture dilemma after the EFL scheduled their Carabao Cup quarter-final at home to Crystal Palace on the same night their women's team are also due to play at the Emirates.
Tickets for Arsenal Women's game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League have been on sale since September but it was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Mikel Arteta's men will now host Palace that night, Wednesday, December 18. The men's fixture is expected to take precedent, with the Gunners' women's team previously playing the majority of their home games at Meadow Park, the home of non-league side Boreham Wood.
The fixture scheduling has forced Arsenal chiefs to liaise with UEFA in an effort find a solution for their women's team and fans who've already purchased tickets. Arsenal Women must find a new venue for the match or play it on a different date.
Due to Palace being in Premier League action on the Sunday beforehand, it was unlikely that the EFL would schedule the quarter-final for the Tuesday and give the Eagles a 48-hour turnaround. Even if that were to happen, UEFA rules state that Arsenal would have to make Emirates available the day before their women's team's match.
UEFA guidelines also say that visiting teams must conduct their pre-match press conferences at the home side's stadium the day before a match and are allowed to train on the pitch if they want. Arsenal could've played Palace on the Thursday, although the two teams are pencilled in to face each other in the league on the Saturday.
Arsenal confirmed over the summer that the Emirates would host 11 of their women's team's fixtures during the 2024-25 season, making it their main home. All three of their Women's Champions League group stage games are scheduled to be played at the Emirates, as well as the home legs of any potential knockout matches.
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Arsenal aren't the only club who've been left in a sticky situation by the EFL's quarter-final dates. Manchester United are due to face Tottenham away from home on Thursday, December 19 which is just 48 hours before they're scheduled to host Bournemouth at Old Trafford on the Saturday.
Carabao Cup quarter-final dates
- Arsenal vs Crystal Palace - Wednesday, December 18 (7:30pm)
- Newcastle United vs Brentford - Wednesday, December 18 (7:45pm)
- Southampton vs Liverpool - Wednesday, December 18 (8pm)
- Tottenham vs Manchester United - Thursday, December 19 (8pm)
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