Mikel Arteta's 'unfair' demand rejected as fixture change sets up nightmare Arsenal scenario

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have been dealt a nightmare festive fixture run (Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal's demand not to play their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, December 23 has been REJECTED, handing the Gunners a nightmare festive fixture build-up.

The game was scheduled to take place a week before on Tuesday, December 16 in a gruelling run of three matches in five days for Palace, have a Premier League fixture at home to Manchester City two days earlier and a Conference League fixture against KuPS on Thursday, December 18.

With Arsenal facing Wolves 24 hours before Palace entertain City, Oliver Glasner's side argued that both teams should be given equal time to prepare for the quarter-final.

As the potential of playing on Christmas Eve was ruled out after discussions with the Metropolitan police and Transport for London, Palace asked for Tuesday, December 23 to be considered.

It was added that the Eagles preferred that date on the grounds of fairness, given that Palace travel to Leeds on Sunday, December 21 at the same time as Arsenal's trip to Everton.

Arsenal opposed Crystal Palace's request to move their Carabao Cup quarter-final to Tuesday, December 23 (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Although Arsenal voiced strong opposition against Palace's case and Mikel Arteta said the request was "unfair", it has now been confirmed that the game is going to be played on Tuesday, December 23.

When it was suggested that the quarter-final could be moved to help Palace, Arteta said: "I don't think that's fair, because we have other competitions as well we have to try to accommodate.

"We knew at the start of the season the competitions that each club is playing in … On balance we have to try to accommodate the best possible way for everybody."

Asked whether December 23 could be an option, he said: "No, there are others. There are others, believe me, there are other options much better than this one. We already suggested that."

Arsenal's Carabao Cup clash against Palace, due to be held at the Emirates Stadium, is set to kick-off at 8pm and will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports and ITV. Every other quarter-final tie - including Chelsea's trip to League One side Cardiff City - is going to take place the week before.

With the Gunners set to face Everton on December 21, Palace on December 23, Brighton on December 27, Aston Villa on December 30 and Bournemouth on January 3, Arteta's men are facing FIVE matches in 13 days.

Next up for Arsenal is a Champions League trip to Slavia Prague on Tuesday, November 4. They then make the trip to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday in their final game before the international break.