Wenger worried about motives for games abroad

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has warned the Barclays Premier League would be in danger of becoming a “circus” if the motivation to take the game around the globe was purely driven by money, rather than “innovation”.

On Thursday chairmen of the 20 member clubs agreed to explore the proposal of an extra “international round” of fixtures in five major cities across the world from the 2010-11 season.

Wenger, whose Arsenal side play Blackburn on Monday, believes if the idea is properly researched and then instigated fairly, it could prove beneficial but should not be introduced just to generate extra cash.

You have to respect basic criteria: the competitiveness of our league, the fairness of our league.

“If the money is the first priority forget it, because it will become a circus.

“The first priority is the quality of your competition, and you have to take time to think about that.”

With overseas TV audiences already established for the Premier League, it was perhaps inevitable the demand for “live” action was to follow.

Wenger continued: “Football is already global, but through television or media. The next step is to make it global with access for competition.

“Do you want to give the fans around the world something? I can agree with the idea. Is that the best way to do it? That has to be checked because I am not completely sure.”

Wenger declared: “If it is just to make £5m or £6m more it’s not worth doing. If every week another idea comes out, like it would be nice to play in China, because there are two billion people there who want to watch a football game, why not try the whole league there?”

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson criticised the decision to go public, having only been told the issue was up for discussion by chief executive David Gill on the eve of the Premier League’s meeting. Wenger also had no prior consultation over the proposal, and expects a proper consultation period to now take place.

He said: “You have to think about and speak with the managers and the players — that is what is basically still not right in the English game that the managers and the players have not enough power on the national side.

“Managers have a clear vision about it and the managers, as a union, have to have access on the executive committee of the Premier League.”

As for his own personal stance, Wenger maintained: “At the moment I feel it is a 20 for and an 80 against because it’s not complete enough.”

The Gunners have several injury worries ahead of Monday night’s clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Philippe Senderos (knee) is a major doubt while midfielder Mathieu Flamini (thigh) and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (virus) are also concerns.

Abou Diaby (calf) is out, along with Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Robin van Persie (thigh), Johan Djourou (groin) and Denilson (hamstring). As a result Kolo Toure could be rushed back from the African Nations Cup following today’s third-placed play-off.