LISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! Does playing on Thursday REALLY put Arsenal at a disadvantage for their showdown?

Introduction

Arsenal's Europa League commitments have seen them play on a Thursday night before facing a Premier League match on a Sunday. Some have suggested that this could put the Gunners at a disadvantage against their opponents, who have had an extra day to rest and prepare. But is this really the case? Let's take a closer look at the evidence.

The research

There have been a number of studies that have looked at the impact of playing on a Thursday night on a team's performance in the Premier League. One study, published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, found that teams who played on a Thursday night were more likely to lose their following Premier League match. However, this study only looked at a small number of teams and did not take into account other factors that could have affected the results, such as the quality of the opposition or the team's overall fitness.

Another study, published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, found that teams who played on a Thursday night were more likely to suffer injuries. This study also had a number of limitations, such as the fact that it did not look at the severity of the injuries or how long the players were out for. Overall, the research on the impact of playing on a Thursday night is inconclusive. Some studies have found that it can lead to a decrease in performance and an increase in injuries, while other studies have found no such effect.

The Arsenal case study

Arsenal have played on a Thursday night before a Premier League match on a number of occasions this season. In some cases, they have performed well, while in other cases they have struggled. For example, they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the Premier League after playing CSKA Moscow in the Europa League on a Thursday night. However, they lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the Premier League after playing Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League on a Thursday night. It is difficult to say definitively whether Arsenal's Europa League commitments have had a negative impact on their Premier League performance this season. There have been some matches where they have struggled, but there have also been matches where they have performed well. It is likely that a number of factors have contributed to Arsenal's inconsistent form this season, including injuries, suspensions, and a lack of depth in the squad.

Conclusion

The evidence on the impact of playing on a Thursday night on a team's performance in the Premier League is inconclusive. Some studies have found that it can lead to a decrease in performance and an increase in injuries, while other studies have found no such effect. It is likely that a number of factors contribute to a team's performance, including the quality of the opposition, the team's overall fitness, and the players' mental state. In the case of Arsenal, it is difficult to say definitively whether their Europa League commitments have had a negative impact on their Premier League performance this season. There have been some matches where they have struggled, but there have also been matches where they have performed well. It is likely that a number of factors have contributed to Arsenal's inconsistent form this season, including injuries, suspensions, and a lack of depth in the squad.