Why there is no 12:30pm Premier League kick-off this Saturday with Arsenal clash moved

For the first time this season, there will be no early kick-off in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Fans have been treated to three incredible 12:30pm starts so far, but they’re going to have to wait this weekend.

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In the opening Saturday of the campaign, Hull City shocked Manchester United, with the newly-promoted side winning 2-0.

And goals galore followed, with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest drawing 2-2 before Newcastle and Bournemouth did the same.

However, there is no early game to look forward to this weekend, meaning fans have to patiently wait for the action…

Why is there no early kick-off?

The Premier League have shuffled the schedule on Saturday due to European football being played in midweek.

Sunderland vs Arsenal is taking place at 8pm, exclusively live on talkSPORT, after the match was confirmed to be rescheduled in July.

The match at the Stadium of Light was moved two months ago as the league pre-empted that the Gunners would be playing in the Champions League in the days prior.

And they are, with Mikel Arteta‘s side travelling to Italy to face Napoli on Wednesday evening, live on talkSPORT 2.

The game was also selected for TV coverage on TNT Sports, with the broadcaster only able to use the 12:30pm and 8pm slots.

Typically, if a game can’t be played early on a Saturday due to a team playing in Europe on a Wednesday or Thursday, they will instead broadcast the fixture in their late slot.

In this case, Sunderland vs Arsenal was switched to the 8pm slot, which has left the early kick-off empty this weekend.

Arsenal’s busy schedule

Arsenal will appreciate some extra recovery time following their clash with Napoli as they begin a chaotic few days.

The Gunners are set to play three games in six days, starting with the Champions League match on Wednesday night.

After that, they take on Sunderland on Saturday, before then coming up against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup third round.

That cup fixture will take place on Tuesday, September 15, with commentary from the Emirates live on talkSPORT.

Meanwhile, Sunderland are also having to play three games in seven days, as the schedule starts to get busy in England.

But their toughest clash comes this weekend…

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Sunderland vs Arsenal: talkSPORT coverage

talkSPORT will have exclusive live coverage of Sunderland vs Arsenal at the Stadium of Light, presented by Reshmin Chowdhury.

Commentary will be coming from Sam Matterface and former England striker Dean Ashton.

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