The Premier League has announced that the fixture between Arsenal and Chelsea is being switched from its Saturday night kick-off to the evening of Tuesday May 2 due to the local police’s request.
A Premier League statement read:
The Premier League fixture between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium, scheduled to take place on Saturday 29 April at 5.30pm, will now take place on Tuesday 2 May at 8.00pm.
The initial scheduling of this match was approved at a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting in February. However, the Metropolitan Police has now revised its position regarding the kick-off time and requested a further SAG meeting which determined the match had to be rescheduled.
We regret the need to move this fixture at late notice and the impact this will have on supporters. The game will remain live on Sky Sports.”
Arsenal has expressed their disappointment in the match being moved and in a club statement said:
After working to try to find a solution with the Met Police, we are very disappointed with the impact and disruption this fixture change will cause to our supporters, particularly after this match had been initially approved for a Saturday evening kick-off.
The Gunners are fighting it out with reigning champions Manchester City for the title and currently boast a six-point cushion, although Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.
The teams also meet at the Etihad Stadium on April 26 – a match that Arsenal were set to follow with an all-London clash against Chelsea on April 29.
Source: SKYSPORTS
