A321
Flight Crew Total 20000
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Procedure
Night time approach to LAS on the ZZZZZ arrival for Runway 26L. Weather clear. Crossed ZZZZZ1 at 12;000 feet and 250 kts. Next ATC cleared us direct to ZZZZZ2; descend to 10;000 feet; slow to 210 kts. Changed controllers and cleared direct ZZZZZ3; descend to 6500 feet. Controller next asked if we had the airport (we did) and cleared us for visual approach; maintain 170 kts. We crossed ZZZZZ4 at 6;000 feet; gear and flaps 2 with full speed brake and we saw we were too high. Next ATC told us switch to Tower. We replied unable; we were too high need turns to get down. We stopped descent and continued toward runway but could not get a response from Controller (who was very busy with other aircraft at the time). We tried repeatedly to contact Approach until they finally had us climb up to 7;000 feet and turn to left downwind. Subsequent approach and landing normal.ATC giving us shortcuts on arrival and slowing us to the point we could not get down.Staying on arrival (especially night time approach in mountainous terrain).
A321 pilot reported being too high on approach by ATC resulting in unstabilized and missed approach.