US Edition 
Arsenal and Tottenham face defining month in Premier League title race in April due to fixture congestion
April promises to be the crunch month for trophy-hunters following Thursday's announcements of rearranged fixtures and date switches because of television demands.
Arsenal, who have played 43 games this season, could potentially play another 23 – 11 in the Premier League, five in the FA Cup, the Carling Cup final on Sunday and six more Champions League ties – in their pursuit of four trophies.
Tottenham discovered that their hopes for success could hinge on an April programme in which they might have to play nine times in a hectic 29-day spell. That is because the Premier League has rearranged the north London derby against Arsenal for Wednesday, April 20.
Originally scheduled for this weekend, the game was cancelled when Arsenal reached the Carling Cup final, which takes place on Sunday.
Arsenal’s fixture list is shrouded in confusion. If they are involved in the FA Cup semi-finals, the north London derby may be rearranged for Tuesday, April 19.
Arsenal discovered on Thursday that no fewer than five of their games had been switched for television purposes with matches against Blackburn, Blackpool, Liverpool, Bolton and Manchester United all moved to Sunday kick-offs.
The FA Cup final, unusually, is on a weekend when there is a full programme of Premier League games so that could add to the fixture confusion. Add the European involvement of the Premier League top five and April suddenly threatens to determine the outcome of all the competitions.
Chelsea, like Tottenham, face big problems with the potential for nine games in 29 days.
Spurs have just completed a 12-game marathon since Boxing Day but at least they have a break with their next game coming at Wolverhampton Wanderers on March 6.
Manager Harry Redknapp was without Rafael van der Vaart, Gareth Bale, Younes Kaboul, Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King, Vedran Corluka, Alan Hutton and Tom Huddlestone for Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat at Blackpool and has welcomed the break ahead of a busy period.
“We were supposed to play Arsenal this weekend but they have the Carling Cup final so that was called off, and it gives us a break. We play Wolves away next Sunday, then AC Milan at home. It gives us a bit of time to hopefully get one or two players back.”
In the light of the very real potential for fixture chaos, one manager has called for a winter break and an overhaul of the FA Cup.
Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, said: “I have had the privilege of going all the way in the FA Cup and getting to the latter stages is a fantastic thing for any club.
“My thoughts on it are that the competition needs a radical revamp. For example, the third round is usually the first Saturday after New Year when everyone is spent up from Christmas, and it becomes a problem for people after they have shelled out the money for their season tickets.
“Maybe we could try to restructure things. We are the only nation who doesn’t do it [have a winter break]. You could start off your fixtures again with two FA Cup ties when people haven’t seen football for a while. We could kick off again with back-to-back FA Cup ties.”