The Arsenal manager has been expressing his concern about next season already, after the Premier League clubs voted to accommodate next summers Euro championship tournament by starting and finishing the season early. And after the way the Gunners struggled to get going in the early stages of this season after the World Cup and issues with fitness and injury problems, you can see why Arsene Wenger is concerned that it could do real damage to our hopes of winning the title.
The situation is that Arsenal’s last game of this season, hopefully, will be the FA cup final on May 30th. Then there are a few international games for many of our players before they get a break. Then Arsenal have a pre-season tour of Asia in mid July before the Emirates Cup and the start of the season proper.
This gives our players less than a month off and with there being no winter break in England, Wenger thinks this is bad news and it is why he would rather have had a normal start with a busier fixture schedule, as reported by Sky Sports.
The Frenchman said, “Pre-season is always difficult if you cannot prepare well.
“They (clubs) voted to start early in August next season, which is a bit of nightmare when you think you start on August 8, some players play on June 21 in South America, some in Europe play on June 14, so after a season where we have no winter break, I don’t see where you go from there to give players a proper rest. It is impossible.
“I opposed the early start because I preferred to play one more game over Christmas, because everybody has the squad that can deal with it and give the players a real rest in the summer. You have had no rest in the winter, now the decision is no rest in summer either.”
He does accept the need for clubs like Arsenal to go overseas and continue to build our global fanbase but the fact is that it does not help us prepare properly for the business of domestic football. At least Wenger vows that he will not consider doing a post season tour as the Spuds and Chelsea are planning and that could give the Gunners a little edge.
All of our rivals will be in similar situations of course, so we cannot complain too much but it does make avoiding the two legged Champions League play-offs extremely important and a big advantage over the team that does finish fourth.
Game over the chavs get the title with library football.
Mourinho football makin paint drying look exciting.
We are scrapping with united for second.
Pellegrini jus been spotted at primark filling out application form.
United just aren’t going away are they? Stuck to us like glue. Next week them vs Chelsea will be very interesting though. Juan Mata will score on his return to Stamford Bridge of course, so it should be a very good watch. I can see Mourinho setting out defensively from the start, but will it work?
After that late Chelsea goal, here’s a pick me up for you Arseal Fans;
My tribute to Ramsay
Last season was an amazing one for Ramsay, we seen many players have them one seasoners. And although Ramsay has had niggling injuries this season, it is fair to say if he played like when he has this season, when he was injured and had a full season, he would be as good as last season. I’m not worried about if he scores, that’s a plus, even more of a plus is he likes scoring
(If someone loves ice cream, they will eat ice cream). We talk about central midfielders and people talk about Podga. Although any team would take a Podga, I have to to say any team would take Ramsay.
To consider his broken leg, than playing out of position with average performances (must to the discomfort for a section of Arsenal Fans), although to me, if I’d broken my leg I would be conscious to just walk down the road let alone play football!
He suddenly came alive. I don’t know if that was because Özil joined that his own game took a step forward but he offers something different to özil, something different to anyone else.
No doubtable he will be compared to Lampard who was a central midfielder who scored goals. But I know I see other teams without a central midfielder now (when I look at Chelsea, Man City, Man U) that compares to what Ramsay offers.
So, ok Chelsea won today, Man U did something (score line) surprising but we have the FA Cup to fight for, and with Chelsea probably limping over the line eventually this season, it’s a reminder that Wengers early league titles was won with swagger…Wenger’s treat.
All I can say is this team looks like it can offer swagger next season. Yes we still need to be clever this summer with signings, ins and outs, but that’s scary for the others.
And for me, Ramsay will be key. And from me that’s an applaud to Ramsay. Whilst Walcott, Wilshire, Ox still await that title (to be so key they are reliable) Ramsay has it, Ramsay is Key for Arsenal.
utd can still finish 2nd and we could end up 4th
theres still alot of work to do…..no complacency
Wow, a sensible comment from Rahman! What is happening? 😀
You’re absolutely right, we cannot afford to take any matches easy – especially not against Chelsea and manure
Oh boy!!! Took eternity to log in!!!
One minute I’m on the main site with new articles, the next minute I’m on that very old article that has to do with whether Wilshere should have his pay increased.
Dear admin, we seem to have been switching servers like one-night-stands. “What’s going on?”
Not too worried about it really. One week less rest isn’t going to do a massive amount of damage. Supposedly our new fitness coach has finally started producing results, so hopefully injuries won’t be as big an issue for us next year. Arsene was quick to point to the World Cup for our injury problems. He may have a point, but that still doesn’t explain why we suffered so much more than anyone else. City and Chelsea both had plenty of players in the World Cup too, they didn’t suffer anywhere near as much as us.
Come on Wenger think positive it’s the same for everyone. Sports psychology coach needed 🙂
Welcome back @Andrew haven’t seen you or your boy mr lean comment in a while
@Goonsquad8
Thank you. I have been making commenting on posts every now and again.
new manager needed
So already readying the excuses for next season. Its same for all Mr. Wenger, even though your point is right but stop this excuses.
Just silly.
2 seasons back Arsenal were on top EARLY in the season and only faded LATE when Ozil, Walcott, and Ramsey were all injured at the same time.
Maybe next season they will struggle in the MIDDLE of the season. Who knows. This is all just guessing.