Arsenal asks the English Premier League to move the Everton match to ease match congestion

Arsenal have requested that their Premier League match away to Everton in the run-up to Christmas be played the day before as they look to avoid playing two games in three days.

It is understood that the Gunners have applied to take part in the match, currently scheduled for Sunday 21 December at 14:00, and will be moved to Saturday 20 December at 20:00 GMT.

The Premier League leaders are scheduled to play their UEFA Cup quarter-final match against Crystal Palace on December 23.

The cup tie was moved by the EFL from the original date of December 16 because that scenario would have seen Palace, who compete in Europe’s conference league, play three times in five days.

Arsenal want to play Everton the day before to allow Mikel Arteta’s players extra recovery time before facing Palace.

While Arsenal have made it clear they prefer to postpone their first visit to Hill Dickinson Stadium to Saturday, it is understood that is not the only potential date the Premier League is considering.

After the English Premier League changed the date of the cup quarter-final match between the two London clubs, Arteta said: “I hope they move our match in the English Premier League, because playing after two days does not make any sense.”

“Now we decide the date [for the EFL Cup match] I’m sure they will change the Premier League [match] also.”