Arsenal’s advancement into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals will have pleased Gunners fans, but it will have left club chiefs with a headache.
Mikel Arteta’s side face Crystal Palace in the next round on the week commencing December 16, with Arsenal hosting the Eagles at the Emirates as they look to win the competition for the first time since 1993.
However, a fixture clash at Arsenal’s home is now on the horizon.
This is due to the Emirates hosting Arsenal Women’s clash against Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stages on Wednesday 18 December.
The men’s London cup clash is due to take place on Tuesday 17 December, but this date is yet to be confirmed.
And any avenue to a solution for a date for the Gunners is currently blocked.
Palace face Brighton on Monday 16 December, live on Sky Sports, so it is very likely their game with the Gunners will need to be moved back, anyway.
The Mail report the Eagles’ game with Brighton could be moved to Sunday, but this would still not allow sufficient time between the fixtures.
And with the women’s game happening on the Wednesday, this leaves minimal room for movement.
There’s not much wiggle room after that date, either, with Arsenal playing Palace at Selhurst Park on the Saturday.
That means playing the Carabao Cup on the Thursday or Friday wouldn’t work, either, as there wouldn’t be sufficient time for recovery.
Arsenal Women will not be able to play their game at their former home, Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park, either, given it does not meet UEFA’s stadium regulations.
However, the managerless Gunners Women could have their Champions League clash moved to another day.
The Mail’s report also states the decision over the date of Arsenal and Palace’s League Cup game is in the hands of the English Football League.
Arsenal Women moved to the Emirates permanently for their Women’s Super League matches and Champions League group and knockout fixtures this season.
Fans have already started buying tickets for the game too, with them being on sale since the end of September.
It remains to be seen where Arsenal will fit their Carabao Cup clash in, but Arteta revelled in reaching the next round after seeing off Preston North End 3-0 on Wednesday.
Speaking about his players’ attitude in the victory over the Championship side, he said: “Very good. We talked about that, about playing with enthusiasm in this game, playing with the right attitude and commitment and they certainly showed that so I’m very happy to be in the quarter-finals.”
While Arsenal face Palace, Tottenham will face Manchester United after seeing off Manchester City 2-1, while reigning champions Liverpool will play Southampton.
Meanwhile, Newcastle will welcome Brentford.