Arsenal vs Chelsea rearranged due to policing issues

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Arsenal vs Chelsea rearranged due to policing issues

The Premier League have confirmed a new date for Arsenal's match with Chelsea which was originally scheduled for April 29.

The game will now take place on Tuesday 2 May and kick off at 8pm at the Emirates Stadium.

In a statement, the Premier League said: "The Premier League fixture between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium, scheduled to take place on Saturday 29 April at 5.30pm, will now take place on Tuesday 2 May at 8.00pm.

"The initial scheduling of this match was approved at a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting in February. However, the Metropolitan Police has now revised its position regarding the kick-off time and requested a further SAG meeting which determined the match had to be re-scheduled.

"We regret the need to move this fixture at late notice and the impact this will have on supporters. The game will remain live on Sky Sports [in the UK]."

Arsenal revealed their disappointment at the late notice for changing the date of such a huge game in their run-in with the Gunners deep in a title charge.

"After working to try to find a solution with the Met Police, we are very disappointed with the impact and disruption this fixture change will cause to our supporters, particularly after this match had been initially approved for a Saturday evening kick-off," Arsenal said in a statement of their own.

Moving the fixture will give Arsenal two further days of rest after facing title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on April 26. After facing Chelsea, they then travel to Newcastle United on May 7.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will also have two more days of recovery following their west London derby against Brentford on April 26 before heading to Bournemouth on May 6.