GUNNERS TO BLAME FOR MISSED TEST
ARSENE WENGER has admitted it was Arsenal’s fault Alexis Sanchez missed a drugs test.
The Chile star was completing his move to Manchester United on Monday when testers arrived at the Gunners’ training ground.
The club were supposed to inform officials of his movements but had failed to do so.
Arsenal face a fine of up to £35,000 but Wenger pleaded for leniency and revealed the club had not been contacted by the FA or UK Anti-Doping.
The Gunners boss said: “On Monday there was a lot going on and it was a special day for Alexis Sanchez.
“You have to do paperwork, you have to travel.
“Is he still our player on Monday or not? You don’t know, negotiations are going on.
“It is a special event for him to miss a drugs test because he was certainly busy somewhere else with his agent.
“Although he’s been tested so many times here, it is no worry for me that he has any doping problem. It was just a bad day for him to be tested.
“Honestly, on the administration side, it will still be our responsibility.
“On the day he had not moved so maybe it will be down to us.
“Usually we always try our best to get our players available.
“We always coordinate well. I will have to check that.”
Wenger revealed it is not the first time a player has missed a test.
“It happened to us when (Cesc) Fabregas went to Spain for treatment and was controlled in Spain. They could not find him because he was at the doctor’s office,” he added.
Wenger said Arsenal will not sell Olivier Giroud unless they seal a deal for PierreEmerick Aubameyang. He said: “Activity is still possible but we are far from being close. I want Olivier to stay. If nobody comes in, nobody goes out.”