Why isn't there a Liverpool & Arsenal match this weekend? Explaining the new Premier League calendar

The English Premier League is renowned for its congested fixture schedule during the festive period, where clubs often engage in a minimum of two matches per week. From Boxing Day fixtures to New Year's clashes, the Premier League consistently stands in stark contrast to other top leagues in Europe, where action halts for holidays or winter breaks.

However, this year, the Premier League has adopted an alternative schedule, affording players a reprieve albeit with intermittent breaks. Instead of entirely halting the championship, as observed in other countries, the 21st round of the Premier League was split over two weekends, as reported by BBC Sports.

This elucidates why clubs such as Arsenal or Liverpool will not be participating in the upcoming weekend from January 12th to 14th. Ten teams will compete during these days, followed by a rest for the next set of ten teams in the subsequent weekend, when the remaining fixtures of the current round will take place.

This marks the second occasion when the Premier League embraces a winter break, the first instance being in January 2020. The following year, this trend was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the preceding year by the World Cup.

Nevertheless, clubs like Everton, Brentford, and Crystal Palace cannot anticipate a complete respite, as they are slated for both league matches and the FA Cup on January 17th.

Chelsea will play their current round fixture against Fulham today, after which Maurizio Pochettino's team will embark on a ten-day hiatus. They will return to the field on the 23rd when they face Middlesbrough in the League Cup.

Manchester City faces a formidable challenge in an away match against Newcastle United tonight, and they will resume action on the 26th when they clash with Tottenham in the FA Cup. During the break, the team has already planned a trip to Abu Dhabi.

Arsenal, enjoying a break this weekend, is presently in Dubai. They will return on January 20th for a match against Crystal Palace. Liverpool will compete against Bournemouth on January 21st.