A method for performing link adaptation in association with scheduling a data channel for a cell in a base station of a cellular communication system, and an arrangement, suitable for performing such a method. The link adaptation method has link adaptation optimization purpose which is achieved by updating a link adaptation parameter on the basis of the load on the data channel and on the basis of the load of a control channel controlling the data channel in the cell. The method obtains a better trade-off between the spectral efficiency and the delay, due to re-transmissions.