Mikel Arteta has conceded ‘it is what it is’ following Arsenal’s postponement against Chelsea resulting in a lengthy football break.
The Gunners were due to face the Blues at the Emirates on March 16, but the London derby will have to be rescheduled with Chelsea in FA Cup quarter-final duty.
It would have been the final Premier League fixture before the March international break, which lasts for two weeks.
The delay now means that Arsenal will fail to play for 19 days in between two season-defining matches both domestically and in Europe.
And with Arsenal firing on all cylinders, there is a danger that the near three-week gap could have a negative influence on his side’s rhythm.
But speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday night’s clash at Sheffield United, Arteta has insisted it shouldn’t have an impact on his squad.
He said: “It is what it is. We knew that, it was an option and now we’ll plan to use that time in the best possible way.
“Because that would mean that we’d then have a more congested period in April.”
He added: “The difference is three or four more days.
“We’re going to have two-and-a-half or three weeks [without a game] and I don’t think that that is going to change the world.”
On March 12, the north Londoners are looking to overturn a 1-0 Champions League last-16 first leg defeat at home to Porto.
Failure to do so would leave Arsenal crashing out at the same stage in the European Cup for an eighth consecutive time.
Their next game after Porto will now be against Premier League holders Manchester City at the Etihad, on March 31, which could decide who wins the title this season.
Just one point separates the two teams in the table currently, with Arsenal aiming for revenge after two defeats at City last campaign.
Arteta was also asked whether he will look to organise a behind-closed-doors friendly for his side to fill the gap.
To which he stated: “Players would have different demands, the majority of them would have international matches as well, and international training sessions.
“So, I don’t think it’s going to be a case of needing more minutes, I believe there are three or four particular cases and I’m sure we can address that.”