Arsenal preferred date for Crystal Palace tie revealed amid fixture nightmare

Scheduling Carabao Cup quarter-final clash is proving extremely difficult due to hectic run before Christmas

Arsenal’s preference is for their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Crystal Palace to take place on December 16.

Talks are underway between stakeholders over a date for the game, which is complicated due to a fixture pile-up.

The Carabao Cup quarter-finals are due to be played on December 16 and 17 , but Crystal Palace are already set to host Finnish side KuPS in their final Conference League league phase tie on December 18.

Three dates are being discussed for the quarter-final between Arsenal and Palace, which are December 16, December 23 or Christmas Eve.

It is understood that Arsenal’s preference would be for the match at the Emirates Stadium to take place on December 16.

However, that would mean Palace playing three games in the span of just five days because they are also facing Manchester City in the Premier League on December 14.

Playing on December 23 would mean both Arsenal and Palace having just two days to prepare for the quarter-final.

Arsenal are away to Everton on December 21, while Palace have a trip to Leeds that day.

Christmas Eve is the only available date that would give both sides three days of rest, but it would also be problematic due to policing and local transport.

Supporters would also most likely be unhappy with a Christmas Eve game. Two years ago there was a big backlash when Chelsea and Wolves played on December 24 .

“Every decision that we make in terms of a fixture has to be guided on two main things I think: player welfare and then supporters, that’s it,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

“And the rest has to come very, very far away from that and we should never forget that principle. That’s the only thing I will say.”