Wenger flays Wolves over Old Trafford 'second XI'

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-18 11:18

BURNLEY, England: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has waded into the row over Wolves's decision to field a weakened team at Manchester United and believes the incident has called into question the integrity of the Premier League.

Wenger flays Wolves over Old Trafford 'second XI'

Chelsea's Ashley Cole passes the ball during their English Premier League match against Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge in London on Wednesday. Chelsea won 2-1 and regained the lead in the English Premier League by three points over the Manchester United. [Agencies]

Wenger, already disappointed by his side's 1-1 draw at Burnley on Wednesday night, admits there is little he can do about Mick McCarthy's decision to send Wolves out at Old Trafford 24 hours earlier with what was effectively a second string side.

McCarthy justified his decision on the grounds that his first-choice XI was exhausted after winning at Tottenham on Sunday and needed to be rested ahead of Sunday's match with Burnley.

But Wenger believes United, who won the match 3-0, were effectively handed the points and insists there should be an obligation on clubs to field their strongest sides.

"It's sad but what can I do about that?" the Frenchman said. "I'm responsible for Arsenal. We'll compete with Man United over 37 games instead of 38!

"I believe it's a problem for the international credibility of the Premier League for sure but it's not my problem it's a Premier League problem.

"The Premier League has a basic problem in organizing the fixtures in a normal way because the guy who organized the fixtures must have come out of a special school because he's more intelligent than I am.

Wenger flays Wolves over Old Trafford 'second XI'

"They organized midweek games in a week where there's Europa League and that means some teams will not play midweek.

"Next week is a free week and there's no European football. There are some teams that don't play at all and we play on Sunday, Wednesday away and at home on Saturday against Hull who haven't played all week.

"It's also damaging for Burnley. You know from the start that some teams won't be capable of playing on the day that you've organized the fixtures. For me it's difficult to understand but maybe they have a different logic."

Wenger's hopes of claiming the title this season were dealt a blow at Turf Moor, especially in the wake of Arsenal's decisive win at Liverpool last weekend.

To make matters worse he could be without key midfielder Cesc Fabregas for several weeks after he limped off with a hamstring problem and will miss Saturday's visit of Hull City.

Fabregas had given Arsenal an early lead but, despite threatening to overrun their hosts in the early stages, the Gunners were pegged back by a Graham Alexander penalty after Thomas Vermaelen fouled Andre Bikey.

Wenger said: "I wouldn't have been pleased with four points from the two game because I always want to win. We expected to drop two points at Liverpool more than here but football is like that. Burnley had a very good game, there wasn't one moment when they lost focus and they are very suited to playing against teams that make the game.."

Burnley manager Owen Coyle believes this result can give his side the confidence to go on and secure its Premier League status at the first time of asking and refused to condemn McCarthy ahead of Burnley's game with Wolves this weekend.

He said: "Mick McCarthy is an outstanding manager and someone I've got a lot of time for.

"He's done a fantastic job at Wolves and does what he sees fit for Wolverhampton. He's made that decision and believes he has a squad capable of wearing the Wolverhampton shirt. We have to make sure we're ready for Sunday and give it our best."

AFP