Wenger attacks Wolves over team selection

Arsene Wenger joins criticism of Mick McCarthy after his decision to field an under-strength side against Man Utd

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has waded into the row over Wolves' selection policy. He claimed the Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy had threatened the integrity of the league by fielding an under-strength side against Manchester United on Tuesday night.

The Wolves manager made 10 changes to the team that had beaten Tottenham on Saturday - the only player to survive was keeper Marcus Hahnemann. United ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. There is still a possibility that the Premier League will take action against the Midlands club after writing to Wolves to "request their observations" about McCarthy's team selection

Wenger said: "I believe it is a problem for the international credibility of the Premier League, but it is not my problem, it is a Premier League problem."

He added that Arsenal would now compete with Manchester United "over 37 games instead of 38".

The 3,000 Wolves supporters who travelled to Manchester for the match were furious at the team selection and sang "We want our money back" during the game. They had paid more than £40 for their tickets.

Wolves supporters' chief Arthur Williams branded McCarthy's decision "grossly disrespectful".

Wenger suggested that the Premier League was partly to blame because of the way it organises fixtures.

The Arsenal manager is angry that his team have had to play three times in one week, while Hull - who visit Arsenal on Saturday have had a free week.

"The guy who organises the fixtures must have gone to a very special school as he's clearly more intelligent than me. What is for sure is that he has never played football," moaned Wenger.

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