SORRY, SANCHEZ
Wenger admits Arsenal to blame for missed drugs test as the United striker is given a kicking on his debut
ARSENE WENGER has admitted that Arsenal are to blame after Alexis Sanchez’s drugs test mix-up.
But Wenger insisted the Gunners have “nothing to hide” over the forward missing a test on Monday because he was on his way to sign for Manchester United – who reached the FA Cup fifth round with a comfortable win at Yeovil. FA drugs testers visited Arsenal’s training ground on Monday and there are strict rules on clubs informing them of the whereabouts of players.
But the confusion occurred as Sanchez headed to Old Trafford and was therefore unable to take the test.
Wenger is hopeful that the FA will not impose a heavy punishment and
revealed it had happened before when ex-Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas made a trip to Spain. Gunners manager Wenger said: “On the administration side it would still be our responsibility because on the day he had not moved.
“I don’t know what really happened, but usually we always try our best to get our players available and always co-ordinate well.
“On Monday there was a lot going on. It was a special day for Alexis as you have to do paperwork, you have to travel. Is he still our player on Monday or not? You don’t know, with negotiations going on.
“It’s a special event for him to miss a drugs test as he was busy somewhere else with his agent.
“He has been tested so many times here that it’s no worry for me that he has any doping problem. It was just a bad day for him to be tested.
“It happened to us when Fabregas went to Spain for treatment. They couldn’t find him as he was at the doctor’s office.
“Sometimes it can be difficult to localise a player at the right moment, but overall, with the number of controls we have, it doesn’t happen a lot.”