New FA rule has forced Arsenal fixture change this weekend with delay on Premier League return

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Arsenal have been forced to wait for their return to Premier League action, due to a new rule from the FA.

The Gunners return from the March international break soon, having seen plenty of their stars jet off around the world to represent their nations.

When they arrive back in London, they will be preparing for an upcoming run of games that will define their season.

The Champions League appears to be the final hope of Arsenal winning silverware this year, with an upcoming clash against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

In the meantime, the Premier League will offer the Gunners a chance to get European qualification again while looking towards next season.

There will be, however, a longer wait before Mikel Arteta and his side can get back in action once again.

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Why are Arsenal not playing in the Premier League this weekend?

While Arsenal will be desperate to be back in action again after the international break, there will be a bit of a wait.

The Gunners won’t be playing this weekend in the Premier League, along with every other side, and will instead feature in midweek.

They play host to London rivals Fulham in a huge clash at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, April 1.

It’s unusual for a Premier League game not to be played on the weekend of an international break return, though it is due to a new FA Cup rule.

The oldest cup competition enters the quarter-final stages, and for the first time at this stage of the competition, an agreement from the FA means that no Premier League games will be played over the weekend.

This is usually the case when plenty of Premier League teams are involved, with Fulham taking on Crystal Palace, which would’ve likely rearranged the game anyway.

As a result, there are a few extra days for the players to train at London Colney before the big match on Tuesday.

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Arsenal final run-in for the remainder of the season

Arsenal have a big two months remaining in their campaign, with some matches coming thick and fast after the international break.

In the Premier League, they will be looking to put the pressure on Liverpool, even if it seems unlikely they will win the title.

The Gunners must be wary of dropping out of the Champions League qualification places too, with any loss of concentration likely to be a problem.

In terms of Europe, there are two big quarter-finals against Real Madrid coming up, which could define the campaign one way or the other.

With silverware on the cards, it could be a chance for Mikel Arteta to finally deliver after a few years of building.