Wenger: English teams feeling Premier League pinch
Reuters - Thursday 06 November 2008, 11:48
LONDON - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
believes the demands of the Premier League caught up with
England's four clubs in the Champions League this week.
His injury-hit side failed to score in a stalemate with
Fenerbahce on Wednesday while Manchester United needed a late
equaliser to draw 1-1 with Celtic.
Premier League leaders Chelsea lost 3-1 at Roma on Tuesday
when Liverpool escaped with a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid
at Anfield thanks to a dubious stoppage time penalty converted
by Steven Gerrard.
"Look at all the results of the English teams tonight,"
Wenger told reporters after their draw in Group G.
"Until this week none of the four had lost this season in
the Champions League and this week none of them won.
"I watched Liverpool and they drew, I'm not sure how,
Chelsea were not sharp physically, we were not sharp physically
and it looks like the Premier League is very demanding
physically.
"If you have a Premier League week and Champions League week
after it is difficult."
ARSENAL FADE
Arsenal faded badly against a defensive Fenerbahce side and
barely mustered a chance in the second half as their hopes of an
early passage into the last 16 were dashed.
Four days earlier Wenger's side were overpowered 2-1 in the
league at Stoke City, leading to accusations that his players
were being injured deliberately by opposing players.
The Premier League appears particularly tough this season
with all three promoted sides proving tough opponents.
United were pushed all the way in a 4-3 win over Hull City
on Saturday at Old Trafford while Arsenal have already lost to
Hull as well as Stoke and regular strugglers Fulham.
Wenger refused to backtrack on his comments about Stoke's
players earlier in the week, adding that he felt his team were
unfairly treated by referees.
"We are top of the fair play table, we make fewer fouls than
any other club in the Premier League," he said.
"But you look at the teams that get the most yellow cards
after four or five fouls it is Arsenal. Some teams get their
first yellow after 15 fouls.
"Either I need to go back and read the book, or something is
wrong."
Next up for Arsenal is a clash with champions United at the
Emirates on Saturday and they know another league defeat would
leave them well adrift in the title race.
"It's a massive game, very important for us," Wenger said.
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