Why was Arsenal vs Man City postponed and when will they play?

Arsenal and Manchester City sit first and second in the Premier League table respectively, but a clash between the current leaders will have to wait for now. 

The rivals were set to square off in an intriguing battle at the Emirates tonight, where Arsenal have been in superb form this season, winning all five league games, including against Liverpool and Tottenham. 

City, particularly after suffering defeat to Liverpool, would have been determined to close the gap between themselves and Arsenal. However, the clash has been postponed - and Sportsmail explains why below.  

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City (L) were due to play Mikel Arteta's Arsenal (R) this evening

Tonight's fixture between Arsenal and Manchester City was postponed to accommodate the Gunners' Europa League tie against Dutch side PSV, which takes place tomorrow night. 

Arsenal had been due to play the in-form Eredivisie side at the Emirates on Thursday, September 15, but it was postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Premier League fixtures scheduled to take place the weekend just gone had also been postponed, and though Liverpool and Manchester City played their midweek home European clashes, Arsenal's was not able to go ahead. 

Arsenal's postponed clash against PSV - originally set for September 15 - will take place at 6pm on Thursday, October 20 

UEFA confirmed the game was to be pushed back because of 'severe limitations on police resources' in London due to the Queen's funeral. 

Arsenal were at risk of forfeiting the three points if their clash against PSV couldn't be rearranged, as per UEFA regulations, but the Premier League agreed to move the game against City to avoid that scenario. 

The north London side were reportedly keen for the game to continue, though, exploring the option of reversing the tie and playing their original September 15 date in Eindhoven.

It was ultimately decided that the Europa League game would be pushed to 6pm on Thursday, October 20.  

The Premier League are yet to announce a new date for Arsenal vs Manchester City.  

They insisted a new date would be 'announced in due course' in a statement confirming the postponement, however. 

What we do know is that the clash will almost certainly take place next year, with the footballing schedule now jam-packed. 

The World Cup in Qatar - running from November 20 to December 18 - has made postponing Arsenal vs Man City a more complex task

The first-ever winter edition of the World Cup, getting underway in Qatar on November 20, has made rearranging the clash a more complex task, with Premier League games running until November 13. 

The Premier League will resume on December 26 - just over a week after the World Cup final.

Arsenal and City will likely go toe-to-toe in 2023, however, in what could then resemble a title-decider.