London, Nov 1 (NationPress) Arsenal has turned down the request from Crystal Palace to reschedule their League Cup quarter-final to December 23. Manager Mikel Arteta emphasized that it would be unfair for both teams to play two games within a 48-hour window.

The match is now set for December 16, coinciding with a grueling stretch for Palace, who will face four matches in just eight days: against Manchester City on December 14, KuPS in the Conference League on December 18, and Leeds United on December 21.

Palace contended that both teams deserved adequate recovery time, noting Arsenal's game against Wolves on December 13. They suggested moving the match to Christmas Eve, a proposal that was dismissed following talks with the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London, who cautioned about limited public transport availability.

Arsenal, as the home team, opposed a Christmas Eve match, and Palace's later suggestion of December 23 was also rejected since it would be just two days prior to Arsenal’s away fixture against Everton and would clash with Palace’s Premier League match against Leeds.

Arteta stated, "I don't think that's fair, because we have other competitions as well we have to try to accommodate. We knew at the start of the season the competitions that each club is playing in."

"On balance we have to try to accommodate the best possible way for everybody... There are other (options to December 23). Believe me, there are other options much better than this one. We already suggested that."

The Spanish manager warned that managing fixture congestion fairly and prioritizing player welfare is crucial, cautioning that clubs could reconsider their participation in certain competitions if these issues are not addressed properly.

"I hope we don't go (that far). If we have that big piece of paper with those two principles there in front before making any decision, all of us in our industry, we won't get there. If we don't and we just ignore that, then anything is possible," he remarked.