Why is Sunderland vs Arsenal at 8pm on Saturday?

What the report says

BBC Sport explains why Sunderland’s Premier League home match against Arsenal is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off on Saturday at the Stadium of Light. The main reason is fixture planning around Arsenal’s European commitments: the defending champions are away to Napoli on Wednesday night in their opening Champions League match, and the later start gives them more time to recover before travelling to Wearside.

The article says the late slot is not unusual in the Premier League, which has used it on several occasions in recent seasons. It also notes that clubs often get a choice between a 12:30pm and 8pm Saturday kick-off when they have played in the Champions League on the previous Wednesday, although Arsenal were not offered that decision here because this game had already been rescheduled before the European fixtures were confirmed.

BBC Sport adds that the league had already planned ahead for the possibility of Arsenal being involved in Europe, and the later time was also intended to avoid further last-minute changes for supporters. Because Sunderland v Arsenal is the weekend’s designated live match on TNT Sport, it replaces the usual Saturday lunchtime fixture. Arsenal are therefore set to play three matches that start at 8pm BST within six days, between Napoli away and an EFL Cup trip to Ipswich Town.