Nightmare scenario for Arsenal, Man City

Top Premier League clubs face the scenario of having to play 32 matches in the next 4 months, pushing players to their physical limits in the race on many fronts.

Premier League teams are often stretched across multiple competitions.

A busy fixture schedule is a constant challenge for English clubs, and this season is no exception. Concurrently competing in the Premier League, Champions League/Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup can lead to burnout and injury for players.

The Premier League has even warned that games could be rescheduled abruptly if teams progress deep into the European knockout stages. Currently, Chelsea, Newcastle, Man City and Arsenal are all aiming for a top eight finish in the Champions League qualifying stages.

Securing a top eight finish means a direct passage to the round of 16, avoiding a play-off round. According to The Telegraph , English teams outside the top eight could face a crazy 32-game schedule, starting this weekend until FIFA Days in March 2026.

If they go deep in the domestic cup but fail to make it into the top 8 in Europe, English teams will likely have to play consecutive matches and only have one week left in the middle of the week, before the end of the Champions League play-off round in March next year.

To ease the pressure on players, the 2026/27 Premier League season will start later, on August 22, to give priority to rest time. The new season will have 33 weekend matches and 5 midweek matches, finishing before the 2027 Champions League final. Matches over Christmas and New Year will be arranged so that they are not less than 60 hours apart.

Four goals in Arsenal's crushing of Bayern In the early morning of November 27, Arsenal maintained their excellent form when they defeated Bayern Munich 3-1 in the 2025/26 Champions League qualifying round.

Source: https://znews.vn/kich-ban-ac-mong-cho-arsenal-man-city-post1606363.html