Arsenal's hectic fixture schedule leaves no room to…

Arsenal's hectic fixture schedule leaves no room to rearrange PSV game before draw

Arsenal may be unable to find a date before January to accommodate the rearranged Europa League group game against PSV Eindhoven.

UEFA confirmed that Thursday's planned fixture was postponed due to logistical problems relating to the Queen's funeral. The governing body said that "severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" were the cause of the postponement.

UEFA added that "a new date will be communicated in due course" but Mikel Arteta's team, who could also see the weekend's Premier League game against Brentford called off, do not have a spare midweek before November's World Cup to leave both the club and competition organisers with a significant headache.

Players head off on international duty next Monday, with England set to play their two remaining Nations League games, before reconvening at their clubs for the resumption of club action on October 1.

Arsenal take on Spurs in a North London derby that lunchtime in the first of nine games in a calendar month that includes three of the four remaining Europa League fixtures and a midweek league game against champions Manchester City.

That could potentially be moved to later in the campaign to allow the PSV match to be played but would need City and the Premier League to agree.

Their final European game is scheduled for 3 November with an EFL Cup third-round tie versus Brighton pencilled in for the week of November 8. Those heading to the World Cup are expected to report to their national sides soon after the league fixtures on November 12.

Club action resumes on Boxing Day but the first two midweeks in January are presently free.

The Europa League knockout stages are set to begin in mid-February, though UEFA has scheduled a draw for mid-November and being unable to complete the group stage by then will have knock-on effects for other teams across the continent.

Arsenal won last Thursday's opener away to Zurich 2-1. The game was paused briefly as confirmation arrived of the Queen's passing.