Mikel Artetahas urged the footballing authorities to 'respect' Arsenal over player safety fears after his club's request to move their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Crystal Palace was denied.
It was confirmed on Monday that the Gunners will play Palace at the Emirates on Tuesday December 23 at 8pm — even though the fixture was originally designated to fall on either Tuesday December 16 or Wednesday December 17.
Arsenal had formally requested for the match to be played on December 16, with the new date just 53 hours after they kick-off against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday December 21.