Mikel Arteta opposes unreasonable demands from the opponent

Coach Mikel Arteta affirms that postponing the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash between Arsenal and Crystal Palace is "unjust," even though he shares worries over the tight schedule.

Manager Mikel Arteta has voiced his objection to the potential rescheduling of the English League Cup quarter-final between Arsenal and Crystal Palace, arguing that it would be "unfair" to his team given the fixtures were arranged at the start of the season.

According to the plan, Arsenal is set to host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on December 16. However, due to the packed schedule, Palace faces the risk of playing three matches within five days, including two Premier League games — one against Manchester City — and a Europa Conference League match against KuPS. Palace’s coach Oliver Glasner expressed dissatisfaction, calling this match congestion "very dangerous" for player fitness and urged organizers to consider postponing the game against Arsenal.

Though understanding the opponent’s difficulties, Arteta maintains his stance that the match should proceed as originally planned. “I don’t believe rescheduling is fair. Arsenal also competes in multiple competitions, and any change could affect our preparation,” the Spanish manager shared during the pre-match press conference.

Arteta also expressed empathy towards concerns about player overload. He emphasized that any decisions regarding scheduling must be based on two fundamental principles: player health and fans’ interests. “If we neglect these two values, football will lose its finest essence,” Arteta stated.

The Arsenal coach also warned about the consequences if this issue is not properly addressed. “We must protect players as they are football’s most valuable asset. The Premier League is the most exciting league in the world, and we cannot lose that reputation due to a lack of respect for principles and people,” he affirmed.

Arteta’s remarks are seen as a reminder to the English football authorities, as clubs increasingly face congested schedules and pressures from multiple competitions simultaneously. For Arsenal, maintaining the current fixture date not only helps sustain consistent momentum but also demonstrates their determination to compete for titles on all fronts.