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Premier League: Why Arsenal vs Everton & Chelsea vs Newcastle kick-off at 5:30pm on Saturday


Two Premier League matches kick-off at 17:30 GMT on Saturday due to Arsenal‘s progression in this season’s Champions League.

The Gunners host Everton during Saturday’s teatime slot, while Chelsea host Newcastle at the same time.

The meeting between the Blues and the Magpies was originally the designated Saturday evening kick-off, but Arsenal’s match was brought forward a day from Sunday after the Gunners were drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last-16 on Wednesday.

Arsenal had to face their German opponents on that date as they cannot play their second leg at their Emirates home on the same day at Tottenham’s game against Atletico Madrid.

Both Chelsea and Arsenal play the first leg of their European ties on Wednesday, 8 March, with the reverse fixtures taking place six days later on Tuesday, 14 March.

If Arsenal’s game wasn’t moved, Mikel Arteta’s side would have played home matches against Everton and Bayer Leverkusen just 54 hours apart.

Both Saturday 5.30pm Premier League games will be broadcast simultaneously on Sky Sports for the first time this season.

With all nine English clubs that qualified for Europe this season still in the last-16 stage of their respective competitions, it has caused some scheduling conundrums for the Premier League throughout this campaign.

For the same reason, Manchester City’s trip to West Ham on this Saturday will kick-off at 8pm, having initially been selected for a 12.30pm start.

As Manchester City played away in Europe on Wednesday night, it made them eligible to opt out of playing at lunchtime on Saturday.

The Premier League aims to ensure all teams have a 72-hour gap between kick-off times to protect player welfare.


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