By Betsefy
The Europa League fixture between Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven will now be held in the middle of October.
The Gunners had been due to play host to the Dutch outfit on Thursday evening, the plan being to build on their matchday-one success at FC Zurich.
However, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II has resulted in widespread postponements at various points over the past week.
Although the fixture, initially scheduled for September 15, was scheduled to be played four days before the funeral on Monday, the redeployment of police elsewhere resulting in its cancellation.
With UEFA’s schedule usually set in stone and there being minimal opportunities to play the game before the World Cup, there was a scenario where Arsenal may have had to forfeit the match for matters beyond their control.
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However, Arsenal have avoided such an occurrence with UEFA rescheduling the fixture for October 20 with a 6pm kickoff, BST.
Instead of taking place on matchday one, the contest has been pencilled in between matchday four and matchday five.
A week later, the reverse fixture is due to be held at the Philips Stadion, and the results of both games could prove to be pivotal in terms of who progresses through to the knockout rounds.
In order for this continental fixture to take place, the Premier League have postponed the encounter between Arsenal and Manchester City.
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That game had initially been due to be played on Wednesday, October 19, but it will now be rescheduled in due course.
Despite the reasons behind Thursday’s postponement, Arsenal are still due to be in action in a London derby on Sunday afternoon.
Brentford will play host to their city neighbours with a midday kickoff, less than 24 hours before The Queen’s funeral is due to commence the following day.
Three top-flight fixtures over the weekend, including the showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool on the same day, have been postponed.
