UNEASY JET
Arsenal’s nightmare journey to Manchester will highlight the chaos away teams are facing under Project Restart rules
ARSENAL were forced to make extraordinary travel arrangements for their trip to Manchester City.
And that will be the new normal for every club facing a lengthy journey which can quickly turn into a nightmare.
The players drove themselves to Stansted Airport, where the club chef prepared a meal which was eaten before they flew to Manchester at 5pm.
They landed and took coaches to the Etihad, arriving 90 minutes before kick-off, then had to be ferried to Liverpool for a flight home.
Some players did not get to bed until 3am yesterday following their 3-0 defeat – hardly ideal preparation for tomorrow’s trip to Brighton.
But under Project
Restart protocols, clubs are encouraged to fly where possible as it is easier to socially distance than if they used three or four coaches. Travelling by train is discouraged, leaving Arsenal facing an eight-hour round trip by coach or flying . All clubs will have to make similar plans as functioning hotels are few and far between.
The Gunners also have dilemmas on contracts and will have to decide on the financial implications before the “mini-transfer window” opens on June 23, designed to allow clubs to make short-term extensions.
The most pressing for Arsenal is David Luiz, who is out of contract this summer, and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta admitted the Brazilian might have played his last game for the club.
The defender faces a
MANCHESTER CITY star Eric Garcia has been given the green light to return to training in 48 hours following his sickening clash with his own goalkeeper.
The Spain Under-21 defender collided with Ederson during City’s 3-0
three-match ban after his disastrous appearance as a substitute in Wednesday’s defeat at the Etihad. He was at fault for City’s opening goal, conceded a penalty and was sent off.
Luiz publicly apologised and when asked if he would be staying at Arsenal, Arteta said: “I don’t know. He’s very open, he’s a leader and I was sure he was going to speak in front of everybody. You heard what he said, he was very direct with us too. That is what I value from him and that is what
I like from him. We need to be fair on him.
“I’m going to defend him with everything I have because I believe in him.”
He accepted it may come down to money, adding: “Well we can’t forget the financial situation. The way Covid-19 has hit every club and the economy in general, it’s going to have an impact.” intensive tests at hospital for concussion and head, neck and spinal damage, Garcia has returned to the club’s base and is expected to resume training this weekend ahead of Monday’s visit of Burnley.
Ederson posted a picture of the duo on social media, insisting the youngster was ‘‘well and back’’.
The Arsenal players’ timetable for game at City on Wednesday..
Players drive themselves to Stansted Airport
Team chef serves meal for players and staff
Flight departs
Flight arrives in Manchester Bus departs for Etihad
Team arrive at stadium Kick-off
Game finishes
Media duties finished, bus departs for Liverpool airport Flight departs
Flight arrives at Stansted Arrive at their homes