Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has raised question of the switching of league games, after the ‘Gunners” trip to Hull City was rescheduled for Sunday.
The North London outfit’s visit to the KC Stadium came earlier than expected, following the decision by the Premier League to move Chelsea’s home game with Sunderland forward ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, April 22.
“We never got any help on that front,” Wenger said at his pre-game news conference for Sunday’s league game at Hull. “Never. There is no written rule.
“When you speak to the Premier League, it is not the Premier League.
As many as five league games will be moved to be shown on Sky Sports or BT Sports (sole broadcasters of the English league), but kick-off times for TV games may be moved if one of the teams involved play in the European Championship the following week- say teams involved in Tuesday’s Champions League tie slated for Sunday’s league game.
Earlier this season, Wenger’s men had to play at Manchester City on a Saturday after returning from a crunch Champions League tie at Napoli.
“It is the television companies who help- they decide who plays when and some clubs have maybe better introductions with television companies,” Wenger added.
“We never had and we never tried to influence the decision of Sky or any other company.”
The manager also re-echoed club chief, Ivan Gazidis’ concerns that both FA Cup finalists have not been allocated more FA Cup final tickets for their supporters.
The FA has made available for both Arsenal and Hull, 25,000 seats for the Wembley final on May 17- a number nearly half that of Arsenal’s 45,000 season ticket holders.
The French boss said: “I don’t know well enough the rules but, before, I think one of the charms of the FA Cup final was always that the stadium was really divided in two [sets of fans],” he said.
“It’s a shame that it doesn’t happen anymore because that was always an absolutely fantastic atmosphere. I remember I’ve been at European Championship finals of the nations and World Cup finals and always there’s a little bit of a lack of atmosphere because it’s so divided. I think the atmosphere will lose a little bit.”
Midfielder Mesut Ozil could return for the FA Cup dress rehearsal against Hull City after a hamstring injury.
“It’s good to have him (Ozil) back because we had so many offensive players out. He gives you always opportunities to score and I have to test him physically tomorrow and Saturday to see if he can travel,” Wenger said on the German’s fitness.
The FA are afraid of Jose Mouriho mouth,that is why they did wat did.can u imagin dat,and nw Mouriho will nt see nw & praise d FA for d favor done to him & his team.The English FA,knw wat they ar doing.