Everton’s Premier League clash with Arsenal will now take place 18 hours earlier than previously scheduled at the Gunners’ request.

The game will now kick off at 8pm on Saturday 20 December as opposed to 2pm on the Sunday, a move that will allow Arsenal an extra day to prepare for their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie with Crystal Palace on Wednesday 23 December.

A statement from the Premier League said:

"Player welfare is a priority for the Premier League, and we have therefore granted requests from Arsenal and Crystal Palace to move their respective fixtures.

"This comes after the scheduling of matches from other competitions around Premier League fixtures without adequate player recovery time."

Reader Responses

Selected thoughts from readers
Certain off-topic comments may be removed to keep the discussion on track

1  Gary Mortimer
16/11/2025    06:10:47

What a joke.  Yet again match going fans are the last people to be considered.  Anyone who had plans for the weekend before Christmas can rip them.

Players' well-being?  Does anyone even think that Arsenal are going to play a full first team in the EFL Cup match when they are in the box seat for the Premier League this season?

Everton should say "No, we cannot accommodate the fixture move".

2  Lee Courtliff
17/11/2025    08:41:58

I've made plans with family that night, thinking I had a lovely Sunday to forward to watching the Blues.

Very disappointing.

3  Paul Ferry
17/11/2025    18:57:24

I have no idea why we would cave in to this sort of 'special pleading' when a fool could see what is going on.

So, from now on a poor club who play on Sunday can ask for their midweek game to be on Wednesday because. Well, what? Perhaps we should have a close look at Thursday/Sunday? Ah, bless: "Player welfare ... adequate player recovery time."

I can't wait to see what team these two put out two days before Christmas.

Meanwhile, this is a serious switch for our fans. Saturday night before Xmas, no one makes plans for that night do they Lee? Who goes out on a Saturday night before Santa climbs down our chimneys?

How about a free drink for every fan who goes to that match? Ah, thought not. They are not really the priority are they? There just a really handy malleable bunch.

What about fan 'welfare'?

4  Jack Convery
18/11/2025    01:03:07

Joke. A fans strike would sort this moving of fixtures at a stroke. We have the power so why not use it.

5  Lee Courtliff
18/11/2025    09:27:47

That's right, Paul, only a fool would make plans with family 5 days before Christmas!

Fortunately, the plans involve going out drinking, so I've told my better half we'll only be going to establishments that have Sky Sports on from 8pm until 10pm.

She was obviously thrilled.

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