Mikel Arteta selects teams following surprising Pep Guardiola outburst, according to Express.co.uk.
The scheduling controversy erupted after Manchester City’s exhausting Champions League encounter with Real Madrid, which saw them exit on penalties just days before their FA Cup semi-final victory against Chelsea on Saturday. Bernardo Silva’s late goal secured City’s triumph, but the tight turnaround sparked Guardiola to laud his players as “legends” for their resilience.
In contrast, Manchester United and Coventry enjoyed a more relaxed schedule, with their semi-final set for Sunday, despite both having a week-long break. Guardiola expressed his frustration over the disparity in rest periods in an interview, stating that it was not right and emphasizing the importance of player welfare.
Arsenal, also vying for the title, faced a challenging match on Saturday, emerging victorious against Wolves in the Premier League. When asked about Guardiola’s remarks, Arsenal’s Arteta supported his rival and stressed the importance of player welfare, saying, “It’s not about us, Pep or myself; it’s about the wellbeing of the players.”
Arteta highlighted the need for fairness in recovery time across European competitions, pointing out the disadvantage faced by teams with less rest between fixtures in the Premier League and FA Cup. Guardiola echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need to protect the players and provide them with the maximum time to recover.
The duo’s remarks came after the Football Association revealed plans to eliminate replays beyond the first proper round in next season’s FA Cup, citing player welfare concerns. Guardiola, in an interview with BBC Sport, expressed his belief that more action is needed, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
Guardiola voiced his frustration with the scheduling, questioning why City had to play on Saturday instead of being given more recovery time, especially given the emotional and physical toll of their previous matches. He expressed doubt in the effectiveness of demanding change and highlighted the challenges of preparing for important matches with inadequate recovery time.
