London: Arsene Wenger has criticised the gruelling schedule that forces Arsenal to play three games in the space of just seven days.
Wenger’s side eased to a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League here Monday thanks to Alexandre Lacazette’s brace at the Emirates Stadium.
But Wenger and his players had little time to reflect on that success before they board a flight to Belarus for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Bate Borisov.
Once that draining trip is out of the way, Arsenal have been given only 48 hours to recover before they are due to host Brighton in another important EPL fixture early Sunday afternoon.
Asked if he would field a weaker team against Borisov in Europe’s second-tier tournament, Wenger said: “I have a decision to make. At the moment I would say the schedule for us is a bit cruel. We play Monday night, we play in Borisov, Thursday, and we play Sunday morning.”
Wenger added: “We have to accept it, but I will go with a team of senior players and certainly a young bench. There’s no need to talk to the Premier League because it is television who decides.”
In the midst of such a busy week, Wenger was relieved to see off obdurate Albion, who could have taken the lead but had an early penalty appeal not given before Lacazette opened the scoring with a 20th-minute header.
Lacazette doubled Arsenal’s lead with a second half penalty awarded for Allan Nyom’s foul on Aaron Ramsey.
With four goals since his close-season move from Lyon, the France striker is starting to repay his hefty price tag.
“He’s (Lacazette) not only a goal scorer, his link up play is good, he fights as well,” Wenger pointed out. “He’s not fazed by the physical challenges West Brom gave us. Overall he adapts very well.”
New Barry feat
London: Veteran midfielder Gareth Barry broke former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs’ English Premier League (EPL) appearance record when he played in West Bromwich Albion’s 0-2 loss to Arsenal here Monday. It was his 633rd EPL match, one more than Giggs. Barry made his debut for Aston Villa at the age of 17 on May 2, 1998. He made 365 appearances for Villa before playing 132 matches in the top flight for Manchester City, 131 times for Everton and has played four games for West Brom since joining.
Agence France-Presse
