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Fixture planners frustrate Wenger
08:45, Dec 17 2009
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expressed his frustration with the Premier League fixture planners and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy after his side were held at Burnley.
The Gunners suffered a setback in their title bid as the Clarets came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.Wenger was angered that his team had been playing while their opponents on Saturday, Hull, were not in action due to Everton's Europa League commitments. The Frenchman also turned his ire on McCarthy, who fielded an under-strength side against Arsenal's title rivals Manchester United on Tuesday and were soundly beaten 3-0.
Wenger said: "I think the Premier League has a basic promise to organise the fixtures in a normal way. The guy who organised the fixtures this season must have come out of a special school, because he is more intelligent than I am!"
He added: "For sure, he has never played football, organising midweek games in a week when you have a Europa League (programme).
"We have some teams who do not play at all. We play Sunday and Wednesday away and at home on Saturday against Hull, who have not played all week."
On the subject of McCarthy's team selection, the long-serving Gunners manager was equally forthright.
He said: "We compete with Manchester United over 37 games instead of 38.
"I believe it is a problem for the international credibility of the Premier League, but it is not my problem, it is a Premier League problem."
The Wolves issue also affects Burnley as Owen Coyle's men, after a draining midweek run-out, now travel to Molineux to a face a presumably well-rested side on Sunday.
Coyle, however, was unwilling to criticise McCarthy, he said: "If that is the motivation for Wolves, to galvanise them, then so be it. Mick McCarthy is an outstanding manager and fantastic man, somebody I have a lot of time for."
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