Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TIRE AND EXHAUST WARNING
Wenger worried the wheels could come off Gunners’ season due to burn-out
ARSENE WENGER fears his players might suffer burn-out amid a fixture pile-up.
Arsenal are on course for a season which could stretch to an exhausting 61 games.
They have 52 under their belts, as they head north for tomorrow’s clash at Newcastle, following a marathon trip to Moscow in the Europa League.
His players did not get to bed until 6am yesterday after a fourhour flight home.
Wenger admits the matches are taking a toll and is set to rest players for the St James’ Park clash, having decided to make the Europa League and a potential path back into the Champions League his priority.
The Gunners played 70 games in the 1979-80 season, reaching the FA Cup Final and Cup Winners’ Cup Final – and ended up empty-handed.
Emirates boss Wenger believes the demands of the season are also catching up with champions-elect Manchester City, and that fatigue is perhaps the biggest danger to Arsenal in the run-in.
They had a warm down session yesterday afternoon at their London Colney base and will train today before flying to the North East for a lunchtime kick-off tomorrow.
Wenger said: “Honestly, it’s very difficult. We land at 5am and we play Sunday morning. And the second thing that’s very difficult is that when you play, everybody else has already played.
“Not only are you physically very jaded, but also you are under huge pressure each time to win. It is maybe mentally tougher than physically. It is a bit of a concern because for long periods now, with the League Cup in the middle of the season, it is a bit difficult.
“You look at City and they look a bit like that in the second half of games recently.
“I do as much as I can, but some players have to play all the games. Fortunately, next week we can recover.” One player almost certain to miss the trip to Tyneside is Jack Wilshere (below), who has played 35 times this season and suffered a knock on the ankle against CSKA Moscow. He was subbed on 69 minutes.
Wenger admits eclipsing Chelsea and squeezing into fifth remains a target – but could be difficult because of the level of fatigue. He added: “We are only three points behind but we have to win our games.
“Jack got a kick on his ankle and I felt he is a player who makes a difference individually and these kinds of players when they are tired are more injured than players who run less with the ball.
Alexandre Lacazette has insisted Arsenal’s players want to win the Europa League to make sure Wenger stays at the Emirates.
The striker said: “It can be the way to keep the manager because he did so much good for the club. We want to win trophies.
“It will save our season because in the Premier League we are not doing well. Winning a cup would be good.
“We are happy, even if it’s not an easy game (against Atletico Madrid). I really want to be in the final to play in front of my family and friends.”