Arsene Wenger is supposedly not complaining about Arsenal’s congested week, but it sounds like he kind of is…
Our side has already played on Monday evening in the Premier League, and now looks forward to two more matches between now and Sunday.
Wenger should have already foreseen an unfavourable schedule thanks to playing in the second-rate European competition, but he does have a point considering it was unnecessary to make us play on the Monday really.
The Arsenal manager admits he now has to take considerations when selecting his side for the Europa League clash due to the build-up of matches.
“I have a decision to make [team selection for BATE] and at the moment I would say that the schedule for us is a bit cruel,” he stated.
“We play [on Monday], we play in BATE Borisov on Thursday night and play Sunday morning at 12 o’clock.”
He added: “There is no need to talk to the Premier League about [TV schedule] because it’s the television that decides.
“For example, [on Sunday] Brighton/Newcastle is on the television, they could have played [on Monday] and we could have played then. So for us the time is very short. But the television decides and I don’t complain about that.
“What I want to say is for the selection is has an impact for me for the first day and for the Sunday game. Because you have another home game and it is very important that we have a strong record at home.”
Was we to expect unfavourable fixtures due to our entry in the Europa League? Do we have enough squad strength to be able to rotate and still win both matches comfortably? Will the long trip to Bate Borisov cause us issues?
Pat J