Another mid-season break won't help Arsenal, says Arteta

Chelsea's last-minute winner in the FA Cup leaves Arsenal without a competitive game for 19 days. 

File photo dated 20-02-2024 of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta

Chelsea's last-minute winner in the FA Cup against Leeds may end up having a disproportionate influence on the Premier League title race, as it leaves Arsenal without a competitive game for 19 days. 

Their Stamford Bridge London rivals were due at the Emirates Stadium on March 16 for a Premier League game but after their 3-2 win on Wednesday, the Blues will instead be involved in FA Cup quarter-final action against Leicester that weekend. 

With an international break the following week, it means Arsenal will have no fixture after Tuesday March 12 - when they entertain Porto in the Champions League - until they go to Man City, which may determine the Gunners' title hopes, on March 31.

The Gunners' flagging title challenge was revived after a similar break in January, during which Arteta brought his players for a 'reset' in Dubai. 

However, the Arsenal boss doesn't believe this gap between games will have the same impact,  with many of his players due to be away on international duty.

"It is what it is. We knew that; it was an option and now we’ll plan to use that time in the best possible way because that would mean that we’d then have a more congested period in April.

"The difference is three or four more days. We’re going to have two-and-a-half or three weeks and I don’t think that that is going to change the world."

Arteta won't attempt to organise a friendly to bridge the gap. "Players would have different demands, the majority of them would have international matches as well, and international training sessions.

"So, I don’t think it’s going to be a case of needing more minutes, I believe there are three or four particular cases and I’m sure we can address that."

Arsenal could welcome back Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko for Monday night's visit to Sheffield United after the pair both recovered from injury.

Jurrien Timber will not travel, but is closing in on a comeback from a serious knee injury suffered on his Premier League debut in August.

Jorginho will be hoping to keep his place in the side, too, with Arsenal planning on to open contract negotiations with the Italy midfielder following a string of standout performances.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, but it is understood that a one-year deal with the option of a further year is planned as an opening point for talks.

Jorginho joined Arsenal from London rivals Chelsea last January and has so far made 41 appearances across all competitions, scoring once and put in a man-of-the-match display against Newcastle last weekend.