Arsenal request Premier League fixture change after angry Mikel Arteta blast

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Arsenal have requested their Premier League fixture against Everton be moved to December 20, bringing it forward by one day from its current slot. The Gunners are currently facing the prospect of two matches within 72 hours, given their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Crystal Palace is scheduled for December 23.

But Mirror Football understands that the north London side, currently top of the Premier League in their bid to win their first top-flight title since the 2004 Invincibles campaign, have lodged a request with the Prem to move the match. It's understood they have requested an 8pm slot on Saturday December 20.

Manager Mikel Arteta has been vocal on the issue and recently expressed confidence ahead of the 2-2 stalemate with Sunderland that an appropriate resolution would be reached.

"Well I'm super optimistic that this is not going to be the case because from every angle, from the Premier League, from the EFL, from UEFA, all the time the only thing that we talk about is the welfare of the players and the supporters and if we want to maintain that principle that cannot be the case and we cannot play Sunday and Tuesday," Arteta said.

"So we have very positive talks to the clubs and to the Premier League, and hopefully we'll find a way to help as much as possible because sometimes you cannot help 200 people out there that they have an issue but for that reason you cannot say if I can help 100 I'm not going to do it because what about the other 100?", reports Football London .

"No, no, no. Help 100. If you can help 100 and the other 100 next time you have the opportunity do it as well and I think we need to be very thorough and we cannot allow ourselves to put in that situation."

UEFA has already turned down Crystal Palace's plea to reschedule their Conference League match with KuPS, originally set for 18 December, to Wednesday 17.

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This would have potentially allowed them to shift their away game against Leeds United on December 21 to the Saturday 20, ensuring at least a two-day break between the three matches.

However, Arsenal , without any midweek obligations, will enjoy a week's rest before facing Everton regardless.

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