Arsenal take a stand against post-season tours, confirming they won't follow ''nightmare'' trend

Staying closer to home: Arsenal take the Bullet train from Nagoya to Saitama in Japan

Arsene Wenger insists that Arsenal will not follow the new trend and arrange a “nightmare” post-season tour.

Manchester City and Tottenham have agreed to play games abroad at the end of the campaign and Chelsea are also considering a foreign jaunt.

The Gunners have already scaled back their pre-season plans to give their players enough rest time ahead of next season.

They will now play just two Barclays Asia Trophy games in Singapore in July outside of Europe – having also considered visiting India and Malaysia – before returning for the Emirates Cup.

If they are not in the Community Shield, the Gunners will then play a friendly in Europe on the weekend before the start of the season.

Boss Wenger said: “No, we won’t do it. A post-season tour is a nightmare.

“In pre-season you have the players under pressure with the focus of starting the season well.

“A post-season tour? I always feel people come along to watch, but the players are half on their holidays. From a purely football point of view, there is not much meaning – let’s be honest.”

Wenger hopes Arsenal will feel the benefit of reducing their touring – especially if they finish in the top three and avoid a Champions League play-off.


Credit: Daily Mirror