Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has stood by his comments criticising the Premier League for his side's fixture schedule until the end of the season.
Arteta sarcastically said 'thank you to the Premier League' and claimed it was 'not fair' that the Gunners have to travel to Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime having been in action in their 2-0 defeat against Liverpool on Wednesday night.
The Gunners are facing a similarly tight turnaround next month when they travel to Chelsea on the night of Wednesday 20 April before hosting top-four rivals Manchester United in the early weekend kick-off on Saturday 23 April.
Asked if he stood by what he said earlier this week, the Spaniard replied: 'I do because I am talking about the Premier League. I'm complaining how we schedule the games in the Premier League.
'When you are in Europe it's a different story. We are the only team that is scheduled like that.'
When posed with the counter argument that every club in the top flight has to abide by whatever the Premier League decides, Arteta added: 'They can do it, we have to accept it.
'We are going to be playing, that is not a problem. It is how can we do it to be more fair, and to have equality in every game. Again, this is out of Europe. Europe is not counted here, it is out of this conversation.
'The first thing is to protect the players. We mentioned this many times, can we please avoid the Wednesday night and the Saturday morning and the travelling and all those things.
'I understand they have the commitments with TV... but if you do it once, OK, but don't do it twice, because we still have to put the Spurs fixture (somewhere). Are we going to be the only ones to do it for a third time?'
Arsenal successfully requested to have the north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - initially scheduled for January - postponed after the Premier League accepted a request from the depleted Gunners.
But asked if he was concerned by when the clash will be rearranged for, Arteta added: 'Yes. Because I don't know and we're not going to be deciding and it is going to be very important.'
When asked if he would be speaking to top-flight bosses about the issue, he said: 'That is nothing to do with me. The club has to arrange that.'
Andy_Mac
0
"Real Arsenal fan "wtf is your definition for real Arsenal fan?? Because all i have heard about Arteta lovers is that trust the process.You all put Arteta on the pedestal.you put Arteta over club and you talk about real Arsenal fan.You @ssholes have no clue and stop being fan police.It's so boring for Arteta lovers these days
He's basically suggesting that you need to behave like Ty from AFTV to be labelled a real Arsenal fan [Crylaugh] I swear, your fanbase is filled with so many clowns
lord_henry-14
1
so you consider everyone is like you. that's a pity. a real arsenal fan will always support the manager who is trying to do good for the club. the fake ones obviously support only when their favorite person as a manager.
"Real Arsenal fan "wtf is your definition for real Arsenal fan?? Because all i have heard about Arteta lovers is that trust the process.You all put Arteta on the pedestal.you put Arteta over club and you talk about real Arsenal fan.You @ssholes have no clue and stop being fan police.It's so boring for Arteta lovers these days
moieihero
0
It doesn't matter i am frustrated or not.It's just a matter of time you will be the one calling his head
so you consider everyone is like you. that's a pity. a real arsenal fan will always support the manager who is trying to do good for the club. the fake ones obviously support only when their favorite person as a manager.
Nuecmnopry
1
having only premier league to play is not a good reason let equity and Justice take it's cause
lord_henry-14
0
classical anti arteta person detected😂😂. o man!! you know what, still arteta will manage arsenal. I feel your frustrations though.
It doesn't matter i am frustrated or not.It's just a matter of time you will be the one calling his head
moieihero
0
Mike"L" is Crying 😂.Me Excuse you only have pl to focus and for the first time you have to play 3 times in week and you started crying.Is that your culture change? Giving stûpid excuses, crying like a baby?Pathetîc,you don't even deserve my anger
classical anti arteta person detected😂😂. o man!! you know what, still arteta will manage arsenal. I feel your frustrations though.
Cicbdknoty
0
Dx man is making people 2 believe dat he doesn't think b/4 talking, when he (Arteta) was scared n postponed EPL game with Tottenham b/4 playing Carabao cup Semi-finals with Liverpool , U was brave? u can run but can't hide nor shy away 4rm de fixtures. U complain like a kid, focus on job, 20th&23rd of April is too far 4dx your cry.
Ceniklry
1
were you born like this or it is just acquired stupidity because I don't see if you understand football at all.
Arsenal played how many games before facing Liverpool that played 6 games in a row? I’ll tell you the answer, three
Adepsalm
0
were you born like this or it is just acquired stupidity because I don't see if you understand football at all.
Teach me football, am always open to learning Mr prof?
Britius
0
EPL think Arsenal have had too much rest unlike other top place teams playing in European ties and still playing EPL, time to see if Arteta will be able to cope if he qualifies for th CL next season😂😂😂😂by playing 3games in a week, e can go to TT, Klopp, Pep or even Moyes to seak for advice😂😂😂
were you born like this or it is just acquired stupidity because I don't see if you understand football at all.
Adepsalm
2
EPL think Arsenal have had too much rest unlike other top place teams playing in European ties and still playing EPL, time to see if Arteta will be able to cope if he qualifies for th CL next season😂😂😂😂by playing 3games in a week, e can go to TT, Klopp, Pep or even Moyes to seak for advice😂😂😂
lord_henry-14
0
Just shut up stupid dog
I am a døg because your pathetîc mother is a alright bîtch,you know?
poskmnrs
0
Mike"L" is Crying 😂.Me Excuse you only have pl to focus and for the first time you have to play 3 times in week and you started crying.Is that your culture change? Giving stûpid excuses, crying like a baby?Pathetîc,you don't even deserve my anger
Just shut up stupid dog
lord_henry-14
2
Mike"L" is Crying 😂.Me Excuse you only have pl to focus and for the first time you have to play 3 times in week and you started crying.Is that your culture change? Giving stûpid excuses, crying like a baby?Pathetîc,you don't even deserve my anger