Why Man City and Arsenal matches in Champions League have to kick off at the same time

Arsenal and Manchester City are both in Champions League action on the same night for the second week running due to UEFA's ruling.

The two sides are England's final two representatives in Europe's premier club competition and both drew in their respective first legs last week.

On Tuesday, Arsenal drew 2-2 at home to Bayern Munich, with Manchester City playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The clashes are easily the ties of the quarter finals and yet both are on at the same time again.

Viewers in the UK will therefore have to choose between the games on TNT Sports, a huge dilemma given the quality on display.

Normally they would be on different days but as per talkSPORT, a decision to have both Arsenal and City on at the same time was made by UEFA.

It came after the initial draw saw Real and Atletico Madrid play at home in their first leg fixtures.

Image: Getty

City and Arsenal will meet one another in a mouthwatering all-English semi-final if both progress.

But after the superb serving up of Champions League goodness last week, Jamie Carragher made a special request to UEFA.

The Liverpool legend called for staggered kick-off times in the near future and plenty of fans agreed.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Carragher wrote: "Can we stagger the kick-offs in the Champions League knockouts please?"

Next season, the Champions League will feature a revamped 'Swiss League' format with the number of teams increasing to 36.

Image: Getty

There will be more games and UEFA say it has "designed to secure the positive future of European football at every level and meet the evolving needs of all its stakeholders".

The governing body added: "Unequivocally confirming joint commitment to the principle of open competition and sporting merit across the continent, the common purpose has also been to sustain domestic leagues."