Mikel Arteta unconcerned by unusual Arsenal quirk ahead of season-defining double
Mikel Arteta has admitted “it is what it is” following Arsenal's postponement against Chelsea which resulted in a long football break.
He gunners They were due to face the Blues at the Emirates on March 16, but the London derby will have to be rescheduled with Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
It would have been the last Premier League match before the two-week international break in March.
The delay now means Arsenal will be unable to play for 19 days between two decisive games of the season, both domestically and in Europe.
And with Arsenal firing on all cylinders, there is a danger that the nearly three-week gap could have a negative influence on their team's pace.
But speaking at his press conference ahead of Monday night's clash at Sheffield United, arteta has insisted it should not have an impact on his squad.
He said: “It is what it is. We knew it, it was an option and now we will plan to use that time in the best way possible.”
“Because that would mean we would then have a more congested period in April.”
And he added: “The difference is three or four more days.
“We're going to have two and a half or three weeks (without playing) and I don't think that's going to change the world.”
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On March 12, the North Londoners will look to overturn a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie at home to Porto.
Failure to do so would see Arsenal out of the same stage of the European Cup for the eighth consecutive time.
Their next game after Porto will now be against the Premier League champions. city of manchester at the Etihad, on March 31, which could decide who wins the title this season.
Just one point separates the two teams in the table currently, with Arsenal seeking revenge after two defeats to City last season.
Arteta was also asked if he would look to organize a behind-closed-doors friendly for his team to fill the void.
To which he stated: “The players would have different demands, most of them would also have international matches and international training sessions.
“So I don't think we're going to need more minutes, I think there are three or four particular cases and I'm sure we can address them.”
