OPINION
West Ham players should be chomping at the bit to tear Arsenal apart after Arsene Wenger referred to the game between the two sides as just being preparation for his team.
The Gunners boss when confirming that winning the Europa League was his side’s priority this season, made it clear that the club were focusing on playing Atletico Madrid next Thursday in the prestigious tournament.
Wenger’s side are set to face the Hammers before their European outing on Sunday at the Emirates, with David Moyes’ side battling for valuable points in order to keep themselves in the Premier League for another season.
Wenger was asked whether he would rest key players for Sunday’s game and bluntly responded that he wouldn’t.
“No this weekend is preparation for Thursday,” stated Wenger in his pre-game press conference on Thursday, as quoted by Football.London.
“I rested some players after the Moscow game, so they will need a game.”
While he’s actually showing the Hammers some form of respect by playing important players, the rest of his answer is disrespectful to the Premier League and in particular West Ham.
With the Gunners manager referring to the game as preparation, it sounds more like his side are about to play a friendly on Sunday rather than a game with a lot riding on it.
Victory against the Hammers might not be enough to significantly improve the Gunners’ league position, but a win for Moyes’ team could save them from dropping into the Championship.
There’s no denying that the Gunners’ priority should be the Europa League, but a manager should never downplay a game to the degree that Wenger has, as it sounds like he’s underestimating the Hammers.
Hopefully these comments are heard by Moyes and his side, as it should fire the team up to make Wenger regret his casual attitude about Sunday’s game.
Wenger’s decision to label the match preparation for the Madrid game, will surely inspire the Hammers to tear the Gunners apart at the Emirates in order to pretty much guarantee their Premier League survival.