Wenger unimpressed by new EPL rule

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tonight rejected the Premier League's new rules on home-grown players as "artificial".

Wenger unimpressed by new EPL rule

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tonight rejected the Premier League's new rules on home-grown players as "artificial".

The 20 English top-flight clubs have agreed to name 25-man squads with at least eight players 'home-grown' trained for three years under the age of 21 in England or Wales.

Gunners boss Wenger, however, dismissed the notion that introducing limits on the number of youngsters would improve the current state of the game.

Arsenal have a strong academy development programme, which takes in the cream of talent from around the globe, bringing though the likes of current captain Cesc Fabregas and full-back Gael Clichy.

Speaking in Belgium ahead of tonight's Champions League Group H opener against Standard Liege, Wenger declared: "I am not in favour of it, and I said that many times.

Be open
"I feel that when you want to see the best players in the best league in the world, you have to be open.

"To accept competition and we live for competition it is not to accept artificial rules and that is why I am against it."

Wenger's stance is in contradiction to Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe, who welcomed the moves by the Premier League as being good for the long-term health of football.

"These moves will encourage clubs to develop and bring through young talent and help ensure clubs are financially stable," Sutcliffe said.

Clubs that do not pass the test may find themselves blocked by the Premier League from making new signings and have to agree a new budget.

Sutcliffe added: "I am pleased the Premier League intend to impose tough sanctions on clubs that take big financial risks that could threaten their future.

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