Wenger slams ‘cup-tied’ rule

– Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has questioned Uefa’s ‘‘cup-tied” rule that prevents striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (above) from playing for the north London outfit in the Europa League this campaign, saying it “doesn’t make sense”.

Aubameyang, who joined Arsenal last month, played for former club Borrusia Dortmund in the Champions League earlier this season and the cup-tied rule prevents the 28-year-old from representing his new club in Europe for the rest of the season.

The rule leaves Danny Welbeck and Eddie Nketiah as Wenger’s only striking options for the Europa League last-32 tie against Ostersunds, which began with the first leg last night, as French striker Alexandre Lacazette is sidelined with a knee injury.

“Unanimously, I believe all the clubs agree this rule has to disappear in Europe,” Wenger told a news conference this week.

“Especially because, for example, he played for Dortmund. Dortmund has been reversed in the Europa League and he cannot play.

“When you look at the transfer amounts you spend now in the middle of the season, the fact the players cannot play doesn’t make sense.”

The French boss praised Ostersunds manager Graham Potter, who has helped the Swedish club progress from the fourth division to the knockout stages.

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who missed the club’s 1-0 Premier League defeat by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend due to a groin injury, has also been ruled out and is a doubt for the League Cup final against Manchester City.

“He doesn’t move forward as quickly as I expected,” Wenger added. – Reuters

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