‘Gunners friendly a headache’

ARSENAL’S end-of-season friendly in Australia — just days before the Ireland squad meets up to prepare for two crucial Euro 2025 qualifiers — has been described as “far from ideal” by Eileen Gleeson.

And her fears have been shared by plenty of her international counterparts, with England’s Sarina Wiegmann among those who have raised concerns about the trip.

The Gunners will take on an A League Allstars team in an exhibition game in Melbourne on Friday May 24, just seven days before Ireland host Sweden at the Aviva Stadium.

England boss Wiegmann, speaking on Wednesday, admitted she was “surprised” by the arrangement.

And speaking as she named her squad for the qualifiers away to France and at home to England, Gleeson (above) said: “Well, I mean it’s far from ideal.

Travel

“Sarina Wiegmann and other coaches have mentioned it in their squad announcements and public conversations.

“It’s a long travel trip with a quick turnaround so it’s directly post the end of the season, straight into a really long travel trip with a really quick turnaround directly before a qualifier.

“So yeah it poses a real challenge for the player and for us as well.

“If it happens, we will have to manage it and best prepare for it if she is involved.”

The Ireland boss said she hadn’t spoken yet to Arsenal star Katie McCabe — or her club — about the fixture.

“No, we haven’t spoken to Arsenal yet.

“We have it obviously factored into our planning processes if she is in it,” said Gleeson.

“But we have to wait and have that conversation with the club whether she will or won’t be involved in that.”