CUP-TIE RULE IS PRICELESS

ARSENE WENGER thinks the rule that cup-tied Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last night is archaic. ‘I believe that all clubs agree this has to disappear,’ he said. ‘When you look at the transfer amounts you spend now, that you have to spend £50million, £60m, £70m in the middle of the season, that players cannot play doesn’t make sense.’ But it does. Aubameyang (right) could not play for Arsenal against Ostersunds in the Europa League because he had already represented Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in this campaign. Two different competitions, yes, but they meet. Dortmund are now in the Europa League. So cup rules protect the integrity of the competition, stop Arsenal buying from a potential opponent, weakening them for future rounds. It doesn’t matter what the clubs think, it doesn’t matter what the clubs pay. This is about ethical principle, and there is no price for that.