Well what a surprise that is to see! Arsenal have some long trips to make in our Europa League group this season and would obviously have liked the following Premier League fixtures and the scheduling of them to not put too much a strain on our players, but as usual we not only do not get any help, but it feels as though they are actively trying to make things as tough as possible for the Gunners.
The longest distance that Arsenal will travel is to face the Belarussian club Bate Borisov, which will be the second of our group games and will take place on September 28th. At least UEFA have given the game an early kick-off time but our own football schedulers in England have been less kind.
Not only do we play away that Sunday, against newly promoted Brighton, but the game will start at midday. Cheers guys, nice one. But if Wenger is forced to play a second string Arsenal team in Europe we will be accused of showing the competition a lack of respect.
Almost as far for the lads to go is the away game against Red Star Belgrade and guess what? That’s right, another away game, this time at Everton, and another early kick-off at half past one. We do not yet know what time the game away to Burnley after our trip to Cologne will kick off, but no prizes for guessing, as not one of our Sunday games after Europe has been given the later 4pm start time.
Am I being paranoid here, Arsenal fans, or does something smell a bit fishy?
Bob.