A new date for the upcoming north London derby has been confirmed in what could be a deciding factor in the top four battle between the city rivals.
The clash between Arsenal and Tottenham was postponed due to a number of players unavailable due to AFCON and one covid case, something that was disputed at the time by Antonio Conte. The fixture has now been rearranged as the Premier League confirmed the highly-anticipated fixture will go ahead on Thursday, May 12.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm with the game shown live on Sky Sports. And It could play a pivotal role in who seals that final top-four position in this campaign.
Tottenham currently sit fourth in the table, level on points with Arsenal, with a superior goal difference following their 5-1 rout over Newcastle on Sunday. But Mikel Arteta's side are certainly in pole position to qualify for the Champions League with two games in hand over Conte's men.
The first one of those games is on Monday night as the Gunners take on Crystal Palace, before another London derby with Chelsea. The new proposed date for the last north London derby of the season means it would come three games from the end of the season, which means there could be plenty at stake by the time it comes around.
The postponement was criticised by Conte as he believed the original fixture should have gone ahead. He said at the time: "We should not postpone games for injuries, for international duty. I think we have a big problem to solve and it's Covid, but only about this situation can you decide to postpone, not for other situations.
"Honestly, it's the first time in my life - and I've had a bit of experience in football - I've seen this type of decision. It was very strange. If the Premier League decides to postpone games for injury it means that maybe they have to try to make a better schedule and reduce games."
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Arteta reckons Palace are going to be a big test for Arsenal, saying: "I have experienced a lot of those games and the run that they're in, the atmosphere we're going to be playing against. We're going to have to be prepared and we will be prepared."
Asked if Arsenal's away form has been the biggest satisfaction from this season, he added: "If you want to be challenging the top teams in the country there is no other way. You have to be winning home and away. If not you don’t keep up to speed because the top points you expect to finish in those positions are going to be pretty high."
