Why Arsenal are playing Wolves at 7:45pm on Saturday

Arsenal head to Wolves on Saturday to face the Premier League strugglers during an unusual timeslot, with the two clubs set for a 7:45pm kick-off at Molineux. 

This has raised significant questions over why the game is kicking off late on Saturday evening, especially when there are only two games on Sunday.

There is also the factor of the World Cup break beginning, meaning that this is the last weekend before the Premier League takes a six-week hiatus.

Arsenal’s clash with Wolves in the Premier League is set to kick off at 7.45pm on Saturday

The clash has been changed due to Arsenal’s Carabao Cup game with Brighton on Wednesday, as the Gunners lost to Roberto De Zerbi’s side 3-1 in the third round of the competition.

The delaying of Saturday’s game has enabled the league to accommodate their quick turnaround. 

Similarly, Wolves also played on Wednesday night as they defeated Leeds 1-0 thanks to a goal from Boubacar Traore.

The World Cup break also signals an international break for those nations not competing in Qatar, so players are joining up with their national sides from Monday, meaning like in normal international windows, there are no games on Monday nights.

The Premier League has regularly needed to reschedule fixtures so far this season due to the World Cup.

Arsenal played Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, meaning the late kick-off is to accommodate the Gunners’ quick turnaround

With almost a month lost to the major tournament in Qatar, competitions across Europe have been forced to cram as many fixtures into the schedule as possible, occasionally handing sides less than 48 hours to prepare for their next game. 

We have already seen several strange kick-off times in the league this year with Everton vs Manchester United taking place at 7pm on a Sunday, while Liverpool vs Leeds also kicked-off at 7:45pm on a Saturday.

The Gunners head to Molineux in fine form, with Mikel Arteta’s side two points clear at the top of the table and aiming to cement top spot.

Wolves meanwhile are second bottom with just 10 points and having scored eight goals in 14 games, and will be watched by Julen Lopetegui, who is set to take over as manager following the game.