Arsenal won't use fixture pile-up as an excuse, insists Unai Emery

Emery's Premier League rivals have voiced their frustration with the Premier League's refusal to re-arrange fixtures.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Olley6 March 2019

Unai Emery insists Arsenal have no excuses in their Europa League tie against Rennes despite the French club receiving a weekend off to aid their preparations.

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri and Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino have in recent days voiced their frustrations at the Premier League’s unwillingness to follow their foreign counterparts by rearranging matches to help teams in Europe.

The French League (LFP) postponed last Saturday’s game against Nimes to give Rennes extra time and ensure they were fresh for tomorrow night’s last 16, first leg here at Roazhon Park.

At the same time, the Gunners were contesting an intense north London derby against Spurs at Wembley, after which Pochettino claimed his side were at a “massive disadvantage” in gearing up for their Champions League last 16, second leg against Borussia Dortmund, adding: “The only way we can prepare is talking, not training.”

In Pictures | Arsenal training 06/03/19

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But Emery told Standard Sport: “It is not an excuse for us, we have the habit to play a lot of matches week by week. We played on Saturday, rested Sunday and started to work on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and tomorrow I think we are going to be okay to play every player. For us, it is a very important match.

“I respect them, the Premier League they decide the schedules for our matches and we adapted. Our adaptation is to prepare for the matches on the days we can have but, above all, our habit is to play a lot of matches during the week so it is no excuse.

“You ask me if I prefer sometimes more time to prepare for one match then, yes but for example in this match we don't have an excuse.

“We had time to prepare for this match well, maybe we are going to play after on Sunday but we have this habit and we have the players to share and find combinations with the players who can play tomorrow with a big performance, fresh players with a big energy.

“Then also on Sunday with some of the same players who play tomorrow and other fresh players can come in and get the best performance in two matches.”

Nimes complained in a statement that they “did not understand this decision which will upset once again the calendar and challenges the principle of fair play”.

Alexandre Lacazette is suspended for both legs after being hit with a three-game ban for his red card against BATE Borisov in the previous round.

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