Arsenal slammed over 14 minute flight

Arsene Wenger Picture: Andrew Matthews

Arsene Wenger Picture: Andrew Matthews

Published Nov 28, 2015

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London - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended the club’s decision to take a 14-minute flight to Norwich for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash.

They were criticised by environmental groups in October 2012 for using a private jet to travel 100 miles from London Luton to Carrow Road and have come under fire again.

The decision has been labelled ‘ridiculous’ and ‘ludicrous’ by campaigners, who also claim it proves footballers ‘live in their own bubble’ due to their excessive wealth.

Wenger confirmed at his press conference: ‘We will fly to Norwich on Saturday night after having dinner at the training ground. When we made the decision there was some road work planned. Sometimes the access to Norwich is difficult. So we decided to fly. We do not fly a lot any more. We take a train or coach. This is an exception.’

Jennifer Parkhouse, of Norwich and Norfolk Friends of the Earth, deemed it ‘ironic’ that the match coincides with a Climate March in London. She said: ‘They appear to live in some kind of a bubble, entirely separate from the rest of us.’

Meanwhile, Wenger hinted Aaron Ramsey will continue in an unfavoured right-wing role despite Francis Coquelin’s injury. The Wales international is fit again after a hamstring injury and made his return as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb.

It is well timed given Coquelin’s three-month absence with knee ligament damage. Prior to his injury, Ramsey grew frustrated at his role on the wing, preferring to play in the middle alongside Santi Cazorla.

But he is set to be disappointed, as Wenger said: ‘He is not a tactical, defensive player. We have Ozil, who is an offensive player, Sanchez, Giroud or Walcott, and Cazorla, so to balance a bit defensively, I use Ramsey on the right.That’s where I will continue to use him, unless the game demands to attack.’

It means Mathieu Flamini, who the club tried to sell in the summer, will be asked to fill Coquelin’s role. With captain Mikel Arteta out with a calf injury, Flamini will be central to Wenger’s plans in the next month.

Daily Mail

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