Before Arsenal’s third-round home match against Premier League leaders Liverpool, manager Mikel Arteta has demanded a stop to FA Cup replays in an effort to alleviate fixture congestion.
Arsenal will face Jurgen Klopp’s league leaders on Sunday, five points behind, in the third round of the illustrious knockout tournament, which is where England’s elite teams advance.
If the match ends in a draw at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners will have a 13-day break until their next Cup fixture. However, if Liverpool beat Arsenal at Anfield, they would have to meet during Arsenal’s unusually lengthy break of over two weeks due to domestic and European obligations.
Arteta said, “I think so,” when asked whether the Football Association of England should do away with replays, and next season Arsenal might be a part of a revamped Champions League.
“We will see what happens because with the new format of the Champions League, there will be more games (to play) so I don’t know how we are going to fit them in.”
We have strategies for all eventualities, and the (short) break will be limited,” the Spaniard said at a news conference before the match. Although we would want to avoid replays if possible, we will make every effort to win the game.