Arsene Wenger slams UEFA rules as Aubameyang misses Europa

Aubameyang

Arsene Wenger has called on UEFA to alter the rules which have left Arsenal unable to play club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the Europa League tonight.

The Gabon striker, a January arrival from Borussia Dortmund, is unavailable for the Gunners' trip to face Ostersund as his former club could come up against Arsenal in the latter rounds, having dropped into the competition after finishing third in their Champions League group.

Another January signing, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, can feature because, although he turned out four times for Manchester United in the Champions League this term, the Red Devils remain in Europe's premier club tournament. Asked if Aubameyang's absence was caused by an old-fashioned rule, Wenger replied: "Yes. Unanimously, I believe that all the clubs agree now this rule has to disappear in Europe.

"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, 70million in the middle of the season, that the players cannot play doesn't make sense."

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