Fixtures pile-up to test Arsenal's strength in depth

ARSENAL'S squad strength is set to be tested to the very limit over the next fortnight after their Easter games against Liverpool and Newcastle were both moved forward.

The Gunners were due to face Liverpool at Highbury on Easter Saturday, followed by Newcastle at St James' Park two days later.

But what was already a packed fixture schedule has become even more difficult, with four vital games now crammed into just nine days.

Arsenal are due to face Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday followed by Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final second leg next Tuesday.

They also take on Liverpool in the Barclaycard Premiership on Good Friday in a lunchtime kick-off, with a trip to St James' Park for a 4.05pm kick-off on Easter Sunday.

The change to the Liverpool fixture is understood to have come after the side's exit out of the UEFA Cup.

As a result, Arsenal's game was moved forward by 20 hours, with Newcastle postponing their Saturday game against Southampton rather than their Monday game against Arsenal due to their UEFA Cup commitments. With Leeds still to come to Highbury the following Friday, it is a schedule that will test Arsenal's squad to the full.

Arsenal's fixture list over the next fortnight is:

Tomorrow FA Cup semi-final v Man Utd (Villa Park).

Tue, April 6 Champions League quarter-final second leg v Chelsea (h).

Fri, April 9 Prem v Liverpool (h).

Sun, April 11 Prem v Newcastle (a).

Fri, April 16 Prem v Leeds (h).