Why Arsenal vs Manchester City Is Happening on Champions League Night Despite Rules Banning It

• Arsenal's high-stake clash vs Manchester City is set to happen on the same night as Champions League football
• The death of Queen Elizabeth II last year brought about a series of postponements of big games
• The Mikel Arteta vs Pep Guardiola clashes are expected to be pointers of who will win the title

If you have been a football fan long enough, you will struggle to remember the last time a Premier League match was played at the same time as Champions League matches.

Thing is, there are rules prohibiting domestic leagues from organising games that coincide with Champions League nights. But on February 15th, the rule will be bent as Manchester City travel to the Emirates looking to usurp Arsenal from the helm of the table.

This is arguably the biggest game of the season. It won't necessarily be a title decider, given that Arsenal have played fewer games, but it will certainly matter at the end of the season.

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The master vs the apprentice show is certain to be a thrilling spectacle, only that it will happen at the same time as Chelsea's clash away to Borussia Dortmund and Club Brugge's hosting of Benfica in the Champions League.

Change of rules

Which begs the question, why would UEFA not object to the scheduling of a Premier League game on a night set aside for European football? Well, looks like they had little to no choice.

The 2022/2023 season will go down as one of the most cramped up football seasons of all time. From domestic football to European competitions to cup competitions to the Qatar World Cup in December, players have been pushed to the edge.

The Arsenal vs Manchester City clash was originally scheduled for September 10th, but following Queen Elizabeth's passing on September 8th, top-flight fixtures were rearranged. Arsenal's Europa League clash vs PSV Eindhoven was also postponed.

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World Cup break

The Premier League settled on October 19th as the new date, but UEFA stepped in and planned for Arsenal's match with PSV, given that the group matches had to be completed before the World Cup break.

The Premier League ceded ground and allowed the Europa League tie to take place. As the Sun reports, UEFA has not objected to Arsenal's game vs Manchester City because, in essence, they are returning a favour the Premier League handed them last year.

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Sports Brief has also reported that Pep Guardiola is facing a huge squad selection headache ahead of Manchester City's trip to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, February 15.

The top-of-the-table Premier League encounter has been touted as a potential decider on how this season's title race could pan out.

There are only three points separating the two English giants on the summit, with victory enough to help City capture the top spot.