If you’re staring at your calendar trying to figure out exactly when is arsenal playing, you aren't alone. Keeping up with the Gunners in 2026 is honestly a full-time job. Between the revamped Champions League format, a deep Carabao Cup run, and the relentless grind of the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s squad is basically living out of suitcases this month.
The reality is that "fixed" schedules in modern football are anything but. One minute you’re prepping for a Saturday 3 p.m. kickoff, and the next, Sky Sports or TNT has bumped it to a Sunday night to maximize eyeballs. Right now, Arsenal is navigating a particularly brutal stretch that determines whether this season ends with silverware or just "what ifs."
💡 You might also like: Oklahoma Football Final Score: What Really Happened in Norman
The Immediate Schedule: Where Are They Now?
We just saw the boys grind out a tough one against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on January 17. If you missed it, it was one of those classic "cold night in the East Midlands" vibes. But there's no time to breathe.
The big one is looming. On Tuesday, January 20, Arsenal travels to the San Siro to face Inter Milan. This isn't just another game. It’s the penultimate match of the Champions League league phase. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. UK time. If you’re watching from the States, you're looking at a midday escape from work. Inter is a different beast at home, and with the new UEFA format, every goal has massive implications for the knockout seedings.
Once they land back in London, the focus shifts immediately to a massive domestic rivalry. Manchester United visits the Emirates on Sunday, January 25. That game is a 4:30 p.m. start. It’s been selected for live broadcast on Sky Sports, so expect the usual pre-match hype to start roughly three days early.
👉 See also: David Montgomery Career Stats: Why He’s More Than Just a Red Zone Specialist
When Is Arsenal Playing? The Rest of January and February
The end of January stays busy. They wrap up the Champions League league phase against Kairat on Wednesday, January 28. That’s a home game, 8 p.m. start. Most experts, including the likes of The Athletic’s James McNicholas, suggest this might be a chance for Arteta to rotate the squad, but with the pressure of finishing in the top eight to avoid a playoff round, don't be surprised to see Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice still leading the charge.
Then, to close out the month, it's a trip to Elland Road. Leeds United vs. Arsenal is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, at 3 p.m. Interestingly, this one hasn't been picked for TV in the UK, which is a bit of a rarity for a title-contending side these days.
February doesn't get any easier. In fact, it gets significantly weirder.
- Tuesday, Feb 3: The second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea at the Emirates. 8 p.m. kickoff.
- Saturday, Feb 7: Back to Premier League business against Sunderland at home (3 p.m.).
- Thursday, Feb 12: A short trip to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford. This is an 8 p.m. Thursday night kickoff—blame the TV schedules for that one.
- Sunday, Feb 15: FA Cup Fifth Round action. Arsenal will host Wigan Athletic at 4:30 p.m.
The North London Derby Factor
The date every Gooner has circled in red is Sunday, February 22. That is the North London Derby away at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It’s a 4:30 p.m. kickoff. By this point in the season, the table usually starts to settle, and these points are often worth double in terms of momentum.
Why the Schedule Keeps Changing
One thing most fans get wrong is assuming the dates they see in August are set in stone. They aren't. Not even close.
The Premier League usually confirms TV picks about six to eight weeks in advance. However, European success creates a domino effect. If Arsenal (or their opponents) are involved in deep cup runs, league games get shunted to Sundays or even midweek slots.
✨ Don't miss: Are the Dodgers Playing Tomorrow? How to Track the Boys in Blue Without the Headache
For instance, the Champions League knockout playoffs are slated for February 17-18 and 24-25. If Arsenal finishes between 9th and 24th in the league phase, they will have to play those extra two games. That would essentially force the Premier League to move their surrounding fixtures. It’s a logistical nightmare for fans traveling from overseas.
How to Actually Stay Updated
Relying on a static screenshot of the fixture list is a recipe for arriving at the stadium 24 hours late.
- Check the Official App: The Arsenal official app is the only place that updates in real-time with "Subject to Change" warnings.
- Sync Your Calendar: You can actually download the fixture list directly into your Google or Apple calendar. It auto-updates when the broadcasters mess with the times.
- Watch the "TV Picks" Announcements: Usually, the Premier League drops a big update every month or so regarding which games are moving to Friday, Sunday, or Monday.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning to attend or just want to make sure you don't miss a minute on TV, here is what you should do right now:
- Verify the Inter Milan Kickoff: Double-check your local broadcast listings for Jan 20. In the UK, it’s TNT Sports; in the US, it’s likely Paramount+.
- Set a Reminder for Jan 30: This is when the draw for the Champions League knockout rounds happens. It will dictate exactly who and when Arsenal plays in late February or March.
- Book Travel for Leeds Early: If you're heading to Elland Road on the 31st, be aware that trains on a Saturday afternoon are notoriously unreliable. Given it’s a 3 p.m. blackout game, there won’t be a legal domestic stream, so being there in person is the only way to see it live.
- Monitor the Carabao Cup Final: If Arsenal clears the Chelsea hurdle on Feb 3, the final at Wembley is set for March 22. Block that Sunday out now.
Keeping track of when is arsenal playing requires a bit of agility this season. The squad is deeper than it’s been in decades, which is lucky because the games are coming thick and thin. Whether it’s a Tuesday night in Milan or a Sunday afternoon in N17, the schedule is the ultimate test of this team’s championship credentials.