The Premier League will return on 17th June, but the current plan to complete the season will ensure a tightly-packed schedule for Arsenal.
The Premier League is making a comeback at last, with Arsenal to face Manchester City on Wednesday, June 17th. The Gunners then need to complete all Premier League matches and FA Cup ties by Saturday, July 25th. The FA Cup final will take place on August 1st.
For the most part, this is exciting news. We’ll finally get English football back, and it might be time to check out betting sign up offers of the moment in anticipation of that day. There’s no denying that the fixture list will be a bit hectic for the players, though.
Between June 17th and July 25th, it’s one game every 3.25 days. Let’s have a look at how the schedule might work, leaving room for the potential FA Cup semi-final Arsenal might play on July 11th-12th:
- Wednesday, June 17th: Manchester City vs Arsenal
- Sunday, June 21st: Brighton vs Arsenal
- Wednesday, June 24th: Southampton vs Arsenal
- Sunday, June 28th: Sheffield United vs Arsenal
- Wednesday, July 1st: Arsenal vs Norwich City
- Sunday, July 5th: Wolves vs Arsenal
- Wednesday, July 8th: Arsenal vs Leicester City
- Sunday, July 12th: FA Cup semi-final
- Wednesday, July 15th: Spurs vs Arsenal
- Sunday, July 19th: Arsenal vs Liverpool
- Wednesday, July 22nd: Aston Villa vs Arsenal
- Saturday, July 25th: Arsenal vs Watford
As you can see, it’s a game every single midweek and weekend to squeeze it all in – if Arsenal do make it to the FA Cup semi-final. If they don’t, they might get one weekend or midweek off.
I’ve spaced things out as evenly as possible, which obviously won’t happen in reality. Arsenal will have some Tuesday games following Sundays, or Friday games following Wednesdays. After all, they have to co-ordinate with their opponents that matchday.
The point is more to show that even in the best-case scenario, it’s still hellish. You’d never have a seven-and-a-half week schedule this consistently busy in normal circumstances.
Arsenal will need to draw on the full depths of their senior squad and their top academy prospects to avoid widespread injuries and fitness issues.