Saturday, April 11, 2015

Arsene Wenger issues summer warning over player fatigue

Arsene Wenger has issued a warning that players might not get the correct amount of rest during the summer period, branding it as a "nightmare".

The Arsenal manager fears that players from a host of clubs will not be allowed to properly recuperate, as the Premier League restarts in early August due to preparations for next year's European Championships.

As well as that, the Gunners's season could also finish later than others, depending on whether they can reach the FA Cup final for a second year in a row, with the date of the fixture landing on May 30.

"Pre-season is always difficult if you cannot prepare well," Wenger told Sky Sports News.

"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."

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are also preparing for busy end of the season schedules, as Spurs have booked preseason tours in Malaysia and Australia, while the Blues are considering a 'victory trip' in Japan should they win the Premier League title.

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