Arsene Wenger Fumes at UEFA’s Aubameyang Ruling
Written by MaxFM on February 15, 2018
Arsene Wenger Fumes at UEFA’s Aubameyang Ruling
Arsenal’s head coach, Arsene Wenger has criticized the “nonsensical” UEFA ruling stopping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from playing for Arsenal in the Europa League.
Arsenal were without Aubameyang or injured striker Alexandre Lacazette as they arrived in snowy Sweden on Wednesday ahead of facing Ostersunds in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.
UEFA rules stipulate players are ineligible if they have appeared in the same competition for another club or, as in Aubameyang’s case, they have played for another club that is currently in the same competition.
Aubameyang is cup-tied due to Borussia Dortmund’s involvement in the competition, despite having only represented the German club in the Champions League this season prior to his £60m move to Arsenal.
“Unanimously, I believe that all the clubs agree now this rule has to disappear in Europe,” Wenger said in his pre-match press conference.
“Especially because, for example, he played Dortmund, Dortmund has been reversed in the Europa League and he cannot play.
“When you look at the transfer amounts you spend now, that you have to spend £50, 60, 70m in the middle of the season, that the players cannot play doesn’t make sense.
“Unanimously everywhere in Europe now the clubs are against this rule.”
Dortmund could still face Arsenal later this season after dropping into the Europa League following their third-place finish in the Champions League group stage.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is available for selection after his move from Manchester United because Jose Mourinho’s side are still in the Champions League.
