Arsenal’s Carabao Cup quarter-final with Sunderland will take place at the Emirates on 21 December.
Sandwiched between away league trips to Leeds and Norwich, the match forms part of a ridiculously hectic December schedule that sees Mikel Arteta’s squad play eight games in total. In contrast, we only have three games in November (albeit, in part, down to the Interlull).
🏆🗓️ The dates for the #CarabaoCup Quarter-Final ties have been confirmed! #EFL pic.twitter.com/YpSdLgFp4e
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) November 3, 2021
Our tie with the Black Cats, who currently play their football in League One, will be broadcast in the UK by Sky Sports. Kick off is 7.45pm.
If the Gunners are successful, a two-legged semi-final with one of Chelsea, Brentford, Liverpool, Leicester, Sp*rs or West Ham awaits in January.
At the stadium of Shite!
At the Emirates.
Lol…true! Been watching basketball again lately…
I hope you think we are the away team…..
Two legged semi final is an extra fixture in the congestion that nobody wants, why can’t they just play one at Wembley/ other neutral stadium?
5 out of the 6 potential semi-final opponents are in Europe, so taking into account fixture congestion, a two legged semi final should theoretically slightly work in Arsenal’s favour.
There is at least a possibility that Aubameyang, Pepe, Partey, and Elneny (or some of them) will already be gone, so some of the younger players who would normally feature in this fixture will also be playing at Leeds and Norwich. So not as straightforward as it should be.
That wouldn’t be an issue, players don’t have to be released for the AFCON till the monday of the week before it starts, which is 27th December.
And there’s even whispers that as none of the Arsenal players actually have an AFCON game till the 10th Jan that we might see if we can keep our African players till the following Monday, which would allow Auba and co to be available for the games against Wolves and Man City.
Great points. Auba and Partey are essential for that Man City game on New Years Day.
Didn’t expect this game to be picked by Sky. Virtually all our games seem to be on tv this season, not that I’m complaining.
Don’t think they had much choice tbf as the other 3 matches are on the Wednesday due to the teams involved playing on the Sunday.
Good point 👍
The draw really couldn’t have been kinder. Arteta made 9 changes for the Leeds game, he really could make 11 for this one.
The prospect of a 2-legged Semi-Final in early January is something to look forward to in a season without European nights.
True, but ill bet thats probably what the team’s that played Sunderland earlier in the cup thought and look at them now, so I would field a strong team, just to be on the safe side
Bring on the Black Cats!
I can’t wait to see our boys lift the trophy
Thought the two-legs was going to be scrapped? Ah well, one game at a time
I hope it doesn’t get scrapped. It adds a lot more drama and excitement. I think it may have been the away goals rule which was scrapped.
I know it’s not the topic of this article but is anyone else relieved that Emery turned Newcastle down? It would have been like seeing your ex around everywhere – not the end of the world clearly but much more pleasant going about your day if it didn’t have to be the case.
Nah not really. It’s no different to Vieira at Palace, and even though Palace are London rivals, I’m delighted that Vieira is doing well there so far.
That’s a good perspective to have. Maybe it feels too soon for me, like a wound that hasn’t healed just yet. I’ll get over it!
I’m sure you will!
It could be worse, Newcastle could have gone for Wenger.
Haha!
Good ebening didn’t translate into geordie
No need for that
I still keep trying to pinch myself to wake up because it’s so unArsenal like to pull Sunderland out of that lot, usually it’s the toughest team in the draw at that stage, what a let down😁