### Arsenal's Fixture Congestion Crisis: Mikel Arteta Calls for Respect Amid EFL Concerns Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, has voiced his frustrations regarding the increasing fixture congestion faced by his team this season. The English Football League (EFL) has expressed concerns that continued adjustments to match schedules could undermine the integrity of the Carabao Cup. Arteta's comments come as Arsenal prepares for a busy festive period, with a quarter-final tie against Crystal Palace now set for December 23, which has raised further scheduling issues for the club [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/mikel-arteta-arsenal-carabao-cup-fixture-congestion-b2857845.html][https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/03/arsenal-and-crystal-palaces-carabao-cup-tie-moved-to-23-december]. ### Breakdown of the Current Fixture Situation 1. **Fixture Congestion Complaints**: Arteta has highlighted the challenges posed by a congested schedule, urging for a more respectful approach to fixture planning [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/mikel-arteta-arsenal-carabao-cup-fixture-congestion-b2857845.html]. 2. **EFL's Stance**: The EFL has warned that making continuous concessions regarding fixture changes could damage the reputation of the Carabao Cup [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/mikel-arteta-arsenal-carabao-cup-fixture-congestion-b2857845.html]. 3. **Arsenal's Response**: Arsenal has opposed Crystal Palace's request to reschedule their quarter-final match, arguing that both teams should have equal recovery time [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/arsenal-oppose-crystal-palaces-request-to-reschedule-league-cup-tie][https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2025/11/01/arsenal-oppose-palaces-request-to-reschedule-league-cup-tie]. 4. **Call for Premier League Intervention**: Arteta has urged the Premier League to consider moving Arsenal's match against Everton to alleviate the scheduling burden [https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/breaking-arsenal-mikel-arteta-demand-32804585][https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/03/arsenal-hope-to-move-everton-fixture-after-palace-match-set-for-23-december]. ### Supporting Evidence of Fixture Congestion - **Match Dates**: Arsenal's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace is confirmed for December 23, which is just two days before a scheduled Premier League match against Everton [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/03/arsenal-hope-to-move-everton-fixture-after-palace-match-set-for-23-december]. - **Managerial Concerns**: Arteta has indicated that the current scheduling could lead clubs to reconsider their participation in competitions due to the strain of fixture congestion [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/arsenal-oppose-crystal-palaces-request-to-reschedule-league-cup-tie]. ### Conclusion: The Need for a Balanced Fixture Schedule In summary, **Arsenal is facing significant challenges due to fixture congestion**, particularly with the upcoming Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace. Arteta's call for respect in scheduling reflects broader concerns about the impact of congested fixtures on player welfare and competition integrity. 1. **Fixture Congestion**: Arteta emphasizes the need for a more respectful approach to scheduling [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/mikel-arteta-arsenal-carabao-cup-fixture-congestion-b2857845.html]. 2. **EFL's Warning**: The EFL cautions against undermining the Carabao Cup's reputation through excessive rescheduling [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/mikel-arteta-arsenal-carabao-cup-fixture-congestion-b2857845.html]. 3. **Opposition to Rescheduling**: Arsenal has rejected Crystal Palace's request to change the match date, advocating for fairness in recovery time [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2025/11/01/arsenal-oppose-palaces-request-to-reschedule-league-cup-tie]. 4. **Premier League Intervention**: Arteta is pushing for the Premier League to adjust the schedule to alleviate the burden on his team [https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/breaking-arsenal-mikel-arteta-demand-32804585]. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between fixture scheduling and the demands of modern football, necessitating a careful balance to ensure fair competition.