Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Wenger questions cup-tied rule over Aubameyang exclusion

Aubameyang, who joined Arsenal last month, played for former club Borrusia Dortmund in the Champions League earlier this season and the cup-tied rule prevents the 28-year-old from representing his new club in Europe for the rest of the season.

Wenger questions cup-tied rule over Aubameyang exclusion
(Reuters)

The rule leaves Danny Welbeck and Eddie Nketiah as Wenger's only striking options for the Europa League last-32 tie against Ostersunds, starting with the first leg on Thursday, as French striker Alexandre Lacazette is sidelined with a knee injury.

"Unanimously, I believe that all the clubs agree now this rule has to disappear in Europe," Wenger told a news conference on Wednesday.

"Especially because, for example, he played Dortmund, Dortmund has been reversed in the Europa League and he cannot play.

"When you look at the transfer amounts you spend now, that you have to spend 50, 60, 70 million pounds in the middle of the season, that the players cannot play doesn't make sense."

The French boss praised Ostersunds manager Graham Potter, who has helped the Swedish club progress from the fourth division to the Europa League knockout stages.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who missed the club's 1-0 Premier League defeat by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend due to a groin injury, has also been ruled out of the European tie and is a doubt for the League Cup final against Manchester City.

"He doesn't move forward as quickly as I expected," Wenger added. "Today I would say certainly he will not be available for the second game against Ostersunds.

"Maybe for the cup final. I don't know yet, it depends how he will progress from now."

Arsenal host Ostersunds in the return leg of the Europa League tie next week before the League Cup final against City at Wembley on Feb. 25.

(Reporting by Aditi Prakash in Bengaluru; Editing by John O'Brien)


2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world