With Arsenal dropping out of the Carabao Cup in a 3-1 defeat to Brighton there is a slight positive going forward from the game.
As much as the competition may have proved to be a chance to win silverware in the cup once more for Mikel Arteta - who won the FA Cup in his first year as manager - the fixture overload which would have come from staying in has now been avoided.
As much as more games does provide extra chance to bed in young players and provide minutes for rotation, the fourth round of the Carabao Cup is due to be played three days after the World Cup final and just five before the league returns, creating a logistical nightmare for managers.
READ MORE: Why Gabriel Jesus Arsenal critics must be ignored amid Mikel Arteta's Premier League title aim
Arsenal are already packed with midweek fixtures due to their place in the Europa League, though going through as group winners ensures that they won't have to play extra matches for the play-off match.
The silver lining from the loss to Roberto De Zerbi's team is that fitting in the postponed Everton clash becomes much easier. The game against Frank Lampard's men was cancelled due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September and is yet to be rescheduled.
This is partly down to the uncertainty posed by domestic and European cups, but now that they have been decided until March, Arsenal can plan for when their game may be played. Everton themselves are out of the Carabao Cup after losing 4-1 to Bournemouth, meaning that in theory the game can now be played in a free slot.
The current dates are December 20/21 - though that is the immediate post-World Cup midweek and is where the fourth round is scheduled for. January 10/11, 24/25 are also free as well as January 31 and February 1.
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Arsenal January transfers, Hein's mistake and Vieira's form
Arsenal player ratings vs Brighton as Karl Hein endures nightmare debut but Saliba shows class
What William Saliba and Rob Holding did to Karl Hein after Arsenal mistake vs Brighton
What Danny Welbeck did after scoring against Arsenal for Brighton amid unique record
Arsenal and Edu make major Cody Gakpo transfer decision amid £65m Mykhaylo Mudryk update
