Arsenal have asked for their Premier League match against Everton in the run-up to Christmas to be played a day early as they look to avoid playing two games in three days.
It is understood that the Gunners have requested that the match, which is currently scheduled for Sunday 21 December at 2pm, be moved to Saturday 20 December at 8pm BST.
The Premier League leaders will play the EFL Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace on December 23.
The EFL changed the cup match from the original date of December 16 because that scenario would have seen Palace, who compete in the Conference League in Europe, play three times in five days.
Arsenal want to play the Everton game a day early to give Mikel Arteta’s players extra recovery time before facing Palace.
While Arsenal have made clear their preference to move their first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to Saturday, it is understood that is not the only potential date being considered by the Premier League.
After the EFL changed the date of the cup quarter-final match between the two London clubs, Arteta said: “I hope they change our Premier League match, because playing two days later doesn’t make any sense.
“So now we decide the date [for the EFL Cup match] I’m sure they will change the Premier League. [match] also.”
