Arsenal handed a lifeline as Manchester City denied request by Premier League amid title race

Lewis Henderson
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:39:16 +0000

Arsenal have been handed a lifeline as Manchester City were denied a request to reschedule their fixtures against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth in the Premier League.

The title challengers, who sit three points adrift of Arsenal with a game in hand, were hoping to allow for greater recovery time between matches.

Under the current schedule, Pep Guardiola's squad must play three league fixtures within just seven days during the crucial final weeks of the campaign.

An official confirmation of the fixture dates is expected soon, with the league anticipated to maintain the original match order following discussions with all three clubs involved.

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City's plans would have seen them face Bournemouth on May 12 before taking on Crystal Palace on either May 19 or 20, providing eight or nine days to complete three matches rather than the current seven-day window.

The scheduling complications stem partly from Palace's involvement in the Conference League, which prevents their fixture from being staged on a Tuesday evening.

A Wednesday date for the Palace encounter would reduce City's preparation time ahead of subsequent matches.

The club's progression to the FA Cup final has further complicated matters, with the originally planned Bournemouth fixture on May 17 having to be rescheduled.

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The anticipated fixture list would see City travel to Selhurst Park on May 13 to face Crystal Palace, leaving just three days before their FA Cup final showdown with Chelsea at Wembley on May 16.

Guardiola's men would then be required to host Bournemouth on May 19, with their Premier League campaign concluding against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on May 24.

The congested schedule arrives at a pivotal moment in the title race, with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side capable of extending their advantage to six points should they overcome Fulham this weekend.

Such a result would leave City with no margin for error when they host Everton on Monday evening.

Guardiola expressed concerns about fatigue following City's narrow victory over Burnley last week, which came shortly after their pivotal 2-1 triumph over Arsenal.

The City boss said: "Arsenal was so demanding emotionally, it's normal. Three days later [Burnley], three days later [Southampton]. Our people were so, so tired.

"The players who don't [play] aren't too much happy. Because, you know, the last games we have long weeks. I rotate less. In the last five, six games, we conceded one goal.

"Now I have to think about it because today people on the second day [after Burnley], always tired and we are a little bit drained.

"Some physios told me be careful of that player, that player, for the history, for the potential injury.

"If one player is injured right now, it's gone, it is over. And now I want to have the players available for Everton until the end."