Manchester City could welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium to play their postponed Premier League game next week Wednesday. The match was supposed to be played last Sunday, but the Carabao Cup final between City and Aston Villa at Wembley was fixed the same day.
And according to Daily Mail, the Premier League are in talks with the two clubs to play the match next Wednesday, March 11 which is free for both sides. The report added that the Premier League is expecting a decision on the proposed date within the next 24 hours.
The clash will allow Mikel Arteta to return to the Etihad for the first time since leaving Pep Guardiola to become the new Arsenal manager. If the new date is confirmed, that gives Arsenal 24 hours extra to prepare for the clash after playing West Ham on Saturday, while City will play arch-rivals Manchester United in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
Recall that Kevin De Bruyne scored a brace with Raheem Sterling also registering a goal in a 3-0 win over Arsenal in the first leg at the Emirates in December.
But the short-notice rescheduling has not gone down well with Gunners fans – with transport and prices an obvious issue but the Gunners are looking at subsidising coaches for supporters.
The last direct train for the capital leaves Manchester Piccadilly at 9.15pm and the fans will not finish the second half before leaving to catch the train. This means Arsenal fans travelling up from London would be looking at having to drive up, many having to take time off work, as well as stay over in Manchester for the evening.
Speaking ahead of his side’s upcoming fixtures, City manager Pep Guardiola claimed that he is contented with whatever ever happens this season, adding his side cannot last year’s success.
“I think the most beautiful one is the Premier League and we are not going to win that, so it can’t be better,” said Guardiola of his side’s campaign.
“Always I think the Premier League or La Liga, the domestic title, is the most difficult and most important because it means every single day that you have been consistent.
“I think we were consistent enough. I would say we have the numbers that could win a normal Premier League but I think it (Liverpool’s standard) was exceptional.
“Now we have the Premier League to finish second and, of course, we have the FA Cup and the second leg against Real Madrid in the Champions League.”
