Key Arsenal fixture moved that could force Mikel Arteta into Champions League rethink

Arsenal’s crucial Premier League clash against Aston Villa has been rearranged for Sunday, April 14.

The game will kick off at 4.30pm - having previously been scheduled for the day before. This is due to Aston Villa’s Conference League commitments taking place on the Thursday ahead of the game.

Villa are set to take on Lille at home in the first of their quarter-final legs. They are aiming to break their 28-year trophy drought, believing former Gunners boss Unai Emery is the man to secure silverware.

The Spaniard has outlined his desire to win a trophy at Villa Park - a feat he failed to achieve with Arsenal. He said on arrival: “My dream is to win a trophy with Aston Villa. It’s my challenge at the beginning. My second objective could be to play with Aston Villa in Europe.

“Now we have to start thinking only about the next match because we are not in a good position in the table. I want to create a new way, we need time but, in football, time isn’t (there) as much.

“I want to be here for a long time. With our dreams and ambitions, they gave me the same idea I have: to be ambitious and improve as soon as possible.”

Villa have emerged as the top flight’s surprise package this season, battling Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League race. A 1-0 win over the Gunners in December triggered talk of a potential title charge but they have since slipped up.

As for Arsenal, rearranging the fixture could force Mikel Arteta into a rethink ahead of their mammoth Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. Playing on the Sunday means the Gunners have one less day to recover before travelling to the Allianz Arena on April 17.