Wenger accepts loss of African stars

ARSENE WENGER maintains he will not bother approaching the “stubborn” Ivory Coast management over delaying the release of Arsenal duo Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue to play in January’s African Nations’ Cup.

While striker Emmanuel Adebayor could not help Togo qualify for the tournament, which kicks off in Ghana at the turn of the year, the Gunners could be without the two first-team regulars for more than a month. There is also a possibility Alex Song could be called up by Cameroon.

After hosting West Ham on New Year’s Day, Arsenal face an FA Cup third-round tie that weekend, followed by a potential two-legged Carling Cup semi-final, as well as five league games and a possible FA Cup fourth-round date on February 16.

Wenger — whose team currently top the Barclays Premier League — is all too aware of the problems this could cause, particularly in terms of central defensive cover.

But Wenger is resigned to allowing those selected maximum time off, given the frustrations of the past.

“They will go at the beginning of January. They have to be available for their country 15 days before the start of the tournament,” Wenger said.

“Before the last tournament we tried to negotiate a later release date with the Ivory Coast, but we won’t try this time. They are so stubborn that there is no point in even speaking to them.”

Wenger continued: “We were so disappointed with their attitude last time. We had to pull Manu and Kolo out of the FA Cup game against Cardiff (in 2006) an hour before kick off.

“The Ivory Coast were adamant they had to join up, even though they were only going to be sitting in a hotel room in Paris.

“They just sat in the hotel that weekend, and I said to them ‘let’s be a bit logical’ — but it was impossible.

“It is not the players’ fault but the Ivory Coast management were very stubborn, and unnecessarily so because it would have been better for their preparation. So this time I count them out from about January 5 until the middle of February.”

Arsenal will host Wigan when the domestic action resumes on Saturday, the first match in charge for new Latics boss Steve Bruce.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas is ruled out of the match through suspension.

Mathieu Flamini, who made his debut for France on Friday against Morocco, has returned to London for scans on an unspecified injury.

However, the Gunners could be boosted by the return of seven-goal striker Robin van Persie, who has been sidelined with a knee problem picked up with Holland in October.

Defender Philippe Senderos may also return from a back problem.