Mikel Arteta admits he is concerned about when the second North London Derby of the season between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur - which could be a top-four decider - will be rearranged for.
The game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was scheduled to take place in mid-January, but the Gunners' request to the Premier League to have the game called off due to injuries, suspension and Covid-19 cases was accepted.
And following this week where three fixture amendments involving Arsenal have been announced, there is still no date for the North London Derby as matches against Manchester United and West Ham United will be televised, whilst another derby against Chelsea has been rearranged.
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Given how close the race for Champions League football is, it's no surprise that Arteta is keen for the Premier League to announce when Arsenal and Spurs will be locking horns as soon as possible.
And when speaking ahead of his side's trip to Aston Villa on Saturday - as they look to keep control of fourth spot ahead of Spurs facing West Ham the following day - the Gunners manager was asked if he was concerned about the lack of an announcement.
"Yes, because I don't know," Arteta replied. "We are not going to be deciding and it's going to be very important." The Arsenal boss was then asked if he has spoken to the Premier League.
"That has nothing to do with me, the club has to arrange these conversations," he said before stressing that he hopes the club will have a say in when the Spurs game is rearranged for: "Hopefully, I doubt it! But hopefully."
With that said, the fact that the game is unlikely to be played in April adds even more weight to some Arsenal supporters' theory that it will be rearranged for May to create even more drama in the top-four race.
