Wenger aims swipe at Chelsea loan policy
● Arsenal boss says champions’ squad woes are entirely of their own making
Arsene Wenger sympathises with Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte over the size of his squad – but reckons the Blues have made their own problems by loaning out so many players.
Conte has spoken out several times during pre-season about what he perceives to be a lack of depth in his squad at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian delivered the Premier League title at the first time of asking last season. But, despite spending in excess of £130 million on fresh talent, his future at Stamford Bridge has reportedly been up in the air as he is unhappy with the number of players at his disposal.
Chelsea skipper Gary Cahill echoed those sentiments after the reigning champions were beaten on penalties by Wenger’s Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend.
Wenger has the challenge of trying to shift players from Arsenal’s bloated ranks, but he suggested Chelsea have made a rod for their own back after typically sending over 20 players on loan within England and across Europe in recent seasons.
Asked if he was surprised that Conte was complaining about his squad size, Wenger said: “Maybe, yes he has the opposite problem [to Arsenal] but if you look at the number of players that are out on loan, they can call a few back.
“I have sympathy for him. But do I feel sorry for Chelsea because they don’t have enough players? Then no.”
Chelsea have recruited Antonio Rudiger from Roma, Monaco’s Ligue 1-winning midfieldertiemouebakayoko and also broke their transfer record to sign striker Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid.
Arsenal also shattered their previous record fee to bring in forward Alexandre Lacazette, pictured, from Lyon. Wenger pointed to the goal ratio of his French compatriot Lacazette, who averaged a goal every 86 minutes last season.
“With Lacazette it is simple,” Wenger said. “His record in France is to score one in 80 minutes. If he can maintain that record that would be ideal for us. As a game is in 90 that would guarantee you a goal.”
Arsenal start their Premier League campaign at home to Leicester tonight as they look to end a run of just one win from their previous seven opening fixtures.
One player now highly unlikely to be moving to the Emirates Stadium is Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez – who was heavily linked with Arsenal earlier in the summer.
“We were never close,” Wenger said when asked about Arsenal moving for Mahrez. “I rate him as a player but we have similar types with Alex Iwobi, Jack Wilshere back. Mesut Ozil... we have plenty of the same type of players.”
Arsenal will be without injured forward Alexis Sanchez tonight while defender Laurent Koscielny is suspended.
Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Per Mertesacker and Jack Wilshere could also be absent while Gabriel, Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin are definitely sidelined.