Three of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures in April have been handed new kick-off times after being selected for broadcast in the UK.
Luton’s visit to the Emirates is being pushed back a day to Wednesday 3 April and will kick off at 7.30pm. It’s being broadcast by TNT Sports.
The Gunners will then play consecutive weekends in Sky Sports’ 5.30pm Saturday slot. We go to Brighton on 6 April and welcome Villa to N5 on 13 April.
Those fixtures come on either side of a potential Champions League quarter-final if Mikel Arteta’s side can get past Porto in two weeks’ time.
The club have warned that the Villa game may be moved to Sunday if Unai Emery’s side come through a Uefa Conference League double-header with Ajax. That means continued uncertainty for anyone looking to book travel and accommodation.
In all likelihood, our matches against Wolves and Sp*rs, currently scheduled for 20 April and 27 April respectively, will also get new start times. The Premier League and its broadcasters are still finalising the calendar for the second half of April.
Arsenal’s fixtures in April
Arsenal vs Luton
Emirates Stadium
Wednesday 3 April, 7.30pm
TNT Sports
Brighton vs Arsenal
AMEX Stadium
Saturday 6 April, 5.30pm
Sky Sports
Possible UCL 1/4F first leg
9/10 April, 8pm
TNT Sports
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Emirates Stadium
Saturday 13 April, 5.30pm
[could move if Villa progress in UECL]
Possible UCL 1/4F second leg
9/10 April, 8pm
TNT Sports
Wolves vs Arsenal
Molineux Stadium
Saturday 20 April, 3pm
[could move for TV]
Sp*rs vs Arsenal
Sh*te Hart Lane
Satuday 27 April, 3pm
[could move for TV]
As usual a massive smack in the chops for anyone who’s bought travel tickets or booked hotels.
Felt pretty obvious the Luton game was going to be moved from the day the fixtures were released in the summer, no? Or at least the moment Sky confirmed the City game was in the expected late Sunday slot. The lack of clarity around the Villa game is a huge problem though (for away fans in particular). As the mickster‘s comment below highlights, I suspect the game isn’t on the Sunday as there’s a chance we might be playing on the Tuesday. The uncertainly in this instance is much more down to Uefa’s scheduling than Sky picking games without regard… Read more »
It wasn’t obvious to me that Luton would move from Tuesdayto Wednesday but I could be missing something. If the Villa game is at risk because of Euro commitments then that is something that surely could be forseen as a possibility. I read somewhere that the Chelsea game will be moved if they beat Leeds in the Cup? Giving the Cup priority over the PL makes no sense. As someone who relies on booking advance tickets on long distance trains to get to games, this whole business grates my shit.
There was a supporter in the March fixture move post who commented that they had purposely booked their overseas trip for Luton with day flexibility in mind. Playing PL games late Sun and following the Tues is highly irregular these days, and Sky were always going to want that game in their prime slot. Agree it’s tough on fans though and also agree about the cup scheduling. Feel they should make the fixtures 5th round on mid week matches – The FA keep taking about trying to bring back the ‘magic of the cup’, what better way to do that… Read more »
I think the Villa game is going to have to be on the Sunday, and our CL quarterfinal will have to be on the Tuesday before and the Wednesday after. The match can’t be on the Saturday because Villa play on the Thursday in Europe. And because it will be on the Sunday, that means our second leg has to be on the following Wednesday because it can’t be on the Tuesday. Even if we get knocked out by Porto, the Villa match still has to be on Sunday. The only way it’s on Saturday is if Villa get knocked… Read more »
what happens if both Arsenal & Villa progress in Europe ?
they would play on Thursday 11th, our game would then, presumably be moved to Sun 14th, but then we could possibly be in Europe on Tuesday 16th ?
I’m not 100% sure, but the Tues/Weds split is a TV grouping thing (as opposed to it being locked into a draw), you’d imagine UEFA would ensure our game (if we both get through) would be played on the Weds, especially given City aren’t playing sides in Europe the weeks around the QFs.
Would Luton prefer a 3-0 forfeit?
It would improve their goal difference at the end of the season…
Add to that Chelsea game will be moved too, if they beat Leeds tomorrow night
Chelsea v Leeds? Chance of a few injuries, just for old times sake.
In addtion, with Chelski advancing in the FA Cup they’re now scheduled to play Leicester on 16th March which was the date we were playing them, so assume this is another fixture that will be shifted…