Why Wolves vs Arsenal is the only Premier League match this midweek

Wolves vs. Arsenal is the only Premier League fixture this midweek and here's why.

Arsenal resume their league campaign on Wednesday less than a week after dropping points at Brentford, who held the leaders to a 1-1 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium last Thursday.

As things stand, the Gunners are four points ahead of Manchester City, with 12 league games remaining.

Arsenal face Wolves in tonight's league encounter as they could increase their lead at the top of the table by seven points ahead of Man City's match against Newcastle United at the Etihad on Saturday.

Fans may be wondering why Wolves vs. Arsenal is the only top flight fixture this week, but there is a very good reason as to why it stands on its own.

Arsenal's matchday 31 fixture against Wolves takes place this week. Image: Getty

So, Arsenal are playing their matchday 31 game this midweek because of the Carabao Cup final.

Matchday 31 (March 20-22) is the weekend of the Carabao Cup final, which will be contested between Arsenal and Man City at Wembley Stadium.

But why are Arsenal playing and not Man City? Well, because Mikel Arteta's team are not involved in any European competition this week and neither are their hosts.

Man City can't play this week or next week because Crystal Palace, their matchday 31 opponents, have their Conference League play-off tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina side Zrinjski Mostar.

Palace face Zrinjski on Thursday before hosting their counterparts next Thursday at Selhurst Park.

Manchester City can't play their matchday 31 game this week because of Crystal Palace's involvement in the Conference League. Image: Getty

It's not yet determined when there will be a free midweek for Man City and Palace to play their own matchday 31 fixture, raising the possibility of a repeat of the 2023/24 season, when the Blues' game in hand against Tottenham went all the way to the penultimate game of the campaign.

Arsenal could go seven points clear of Man City as Arteta has stressed the importance of every win in the latter stages of the season.

"I think understanding the difficulty of the match is always there in any game in the Premier League but when you come to the last stages of the season you know the importance of every win and what you have to do," he told the club's website.

"I sense the team is in a really good emotional state, really looking forward to playing tomorrow and that's why. Play with that energy, that confidence and I'm sure we'll continue to do what we've done."