Morning all.
Yesterday, the Premier League announced that our already moved fixture against Chelsea, has been moved again so instead of a 5.30pm kick off on Saturday 29th April, the match kicks off at 8pm on 2nd May. The Metropolitan Police are reported to be responsible for the change. Neither of the two clubs are particularly happy and I’m not surprised because it has an impact on the fans. Safety concerns are said to be behind the request from the Met Police.
The change means Mikel Arteta’s players will have more time to prepare for Chelsea, but less to prepare for the Newcastle Utd game.
Here is how the run-in looks for Arsenal and Man City.
Arsenal – April
- 16th – West Ham United v Arsenal (2pm)
- 21st – Arsenal v Southampton (8pm)
- 26th – Manchester City v Arsenal (8pm)
May:
- 2nd – Arsenal v Chelsea (8pm)
- 7th – Newcastle United v Arsenal (4.30pm)
- 14th – Arsenal v Brighton (4.30pm)
- 20th – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
- 28th Arsenal v Wolverhampton
Man City – April:
- 15th – Man City v Leicester City
- 19th – Bayern Munich v Man City (CL)
- 22nd – Man City v Sheffield Utd (FA Cup)
- 26th – Man City v Arsenal
- 30th – Fulham v Man City
May:
- 3rd – Man City v West Ham
- 7th – Man City v Leeds United
- 9th – Champions League Semi-Final
- 14th – Everton v Man City
- 16th – Champions League Semi-Final
- 20th – Man City v Chelsea
- 28th – Brentford v Man City
June – potentially:
- 3rd – FA Cup Final
- 10th – Champions League Final
All bar two of Arsenal’s remaining fixtures are televised with Sky Sports showing five and BT Sport one. If by chance the title race goes down to the final day, I’m sure both our match against Wolves and City’s against Brentford will be televised too.
Assuming Man City win their game in hand, just three points separate us and them. I knew City had more fixtures to play than Arsenal but seeing them written down, wow, that’s a hectic six weeks for them. Even though they beat Bayern Munich 3-0 last night, the match was tighter than the score suggests and not for one minute do I believe Pep will think his team is already in the semi-final. Should they progress and Chelsea do too, the two clubs will play each other three times within eleven days, one of which is a League fixture.
Our game against City is sandwiched between them having played Sheffield Utd at The Etihad in the FA Cup and before travelling to London to face Fulham. We’d have played Southampton at The Emirates five days before travelling to Manchester with the one fixture against Chelsea six days later.
The focus in the media does seem to be on the City v Arsenal game but there is seven other clubs for Arsenal to worry about too. West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Wolves are all desperate to avoid relegation and Brighton, robbed of a point at least against Totts last weekend, are going for Europa League qualification. Chelsea probably have all their eggs in the Champions League basket and Newcastle Utd will be hoping to pip Man Utd and Totts to third place, or even second. I can’t see Man City dropping that many points though. Lol
Brentford, who have already beaten City at The Etihad this season, are fighting for a Europa League place so they could easily nick a point or three off Guardiola’s team. This weekend they face a Leicester City side who’ve just appointed a new manager so you never know eh. Yep, I’m clutching my straws tightly.
All Arsenal can do is win as many matches as possible between now and the end of May and in any case, who’s to say we can’t win at The Etihad, who’s to say we’ll definitely beat West Ham? I think they’ll be safe come the end of the season but they do have a Europa Conference League fixture tomorrow night to get through and it’s away from home.
I think that despite only 8/9 League remaining this season, there are twists and turns to come.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico.
There’s a good deal of speculation as to why our game against Chelsea has been shifted to a Tuesday evening, but no official reason has been given. Both clubs are demanding more information from the police and Premier League. Arsenal are also asking the Mayor of London, who oversees the Met Police, to look into the matter.
I rather suspect that the reason is the Met have so many members suspended or in gaol for sexual abuse, racism or general corrupt practices that allied to those still working from home, only three specials and a semi retired dog would be available on a Sunday afternoon. 😉
Morning Cicero, all.
I think it’s dreadful that at this stage of the season that a fixture has been changed to this degree. Apparently both clubs asked for an earlier kick off time on the original date but were refused.
I wonder how many fans of both clubs cannot now go to the game because of work etc..
The oilers fixture,away at Brighton which has to be squeezed in somewhere?That is a very dodgy fixture for them whenever it’s scheduled.
Morning Rico. Hope all is well. Been away enjoying some sun.
Although disappointing after being 2 up, the Liverpool result was a point gained. It’s rare we get points at Anfield. They threw the kitchen sink at us in the 2nd half. Ramsdale was outstanding.
The Met Police decision to move the Chelsea game stinks. They like to take the overtime at the games, but treat football fans like a bit of 💩on their boots. I have witnessed the police breaking the law on many occasions at the football (stealing; assault; agent provocateur) so I am very wary of their actions. Of course there are plenty of ‘good’ police (I know some), but this reinforces the view of a corrupt institution acting out of self interest.
Positive Pete, yep, and if Brighton are still chasing Europa, they could more than upset City.
Mind you, they could do the same at the Emirates.
Hi Pete, lucky you. Looking forward to seeing some sunshine here..
I wonder if Ramsdale has silenced his critics yet. He really was superb v Liverpool. Ex Liverpool Warnock reckons he’s England’s best keeper.
In all the discussions about the Liverpool result, I’ve not seen any that think of how Man City viewed it. I suspect they were a little surprised that we took a point at all and would have been counting on us making our regulation ‘nil points’ from that fixture. And the way we started would only have added to their concern….
Or is this all wishful thinking on my part 😃
The last thing that any authority considers is the fans .As far as they are concerned they are a nuisance that gets in the way.
Anyone that has done away travel knows this too well but now that T. V rules the roost it seems to be the case at home as well .
As far as the league is concerned we have to get as many points as we can just as they do . PLenty of time for both of us to slip up .
IWas, good point re City. I suspect they thought we’d be beaten.
Sorry about being stuck in moderation.
I’m abroad
Next week I’ll wach the two games
Hope we win next one
all the best
Their trip to Brighton could be pivotal and with them 3 nought up on bayern chances are that they could have 13 games whilst we have 8 .
That would give them 8 games in 25 days . So dont be surprised if their season gets extended once Brighton ‘s players have switched off .
Morning Rico and all.
The FA will not take any more action against the lines men who raised his elbow to the Liverpool player.
It’s about time the FA ban players from approaching the ref, and enforce these rules, it should be only the captain to approach the ref not a gang mentality to pressure the ref into giving out cards.
Morning Geoff, all.
Anyone feeling sorry for Utd with their injuries and conceding two own goals last night?
No, me neither… 😂
If Maguire had been bought by Arsenal at 80million pounds, the back pages would write about it for the next six years. Pepe anyone? Long may it continue!
Wouldn’t they just.