Mikel Arteta warned the football authorities that the welfare of his players is in danger as Arsenal overcame Wolves to return back to the top of the Premier League.
Leandro Trossard’s unorthodox strike in the first half set up the victory, with Martin Odegaard adding a second goal late into stoppage time.
The Gunners are now one point clear of Manchester City, with a better goal difference — but having played a game more.
The result followed two defeats on the bounce, including crashing out of the Champions League quarter-finals to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Though Arteta had his team’s congested schedule at the front of his mind. Arsenal have played two games in four days — and will now play rivals Chelsea on Tuesday.
‘It’s not about us, Pep or myself, it’s about the wellbeing of the players,’ he said. ‘When you compete in European competition, every team has to compete in the same way.
‘You cannot have a team that hasn’t played for seven days, or three days before, and has more recovery time and then you have to play in the Premier League and the FA Cup.
‘It is not right. If you look in any angle, it’s not right. If you want to protect, let’s talk about the players and the protagonists.
‘Let’s protect the players and do everything we can to give them the maximum time to help them recover and perform and do the show that they do every week.’
For the first time in their league history, Arsenal have kept six consecutive clean sheets away from home.
He added: ‘The boys were unbelievable, the staff was unbelievable. It’s a joy to work with them.
‘We realised that if you want to be in the big competitions fighting for the Champions League, fighting for the Premier League and the level that requires, you have to do something
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