Arsene Wenger has hit back at Jose Mourinho by insisting he wasnât using gamesmanship when he picked Alexandre Lacazette to face Manchester United 24 hours after saying he would miss the game with a groin injury.
France striker Lacazette was a surprise selection for Arsenalâs 3-1 defeat against United last weekend as Gunners boss Wenger had stated he would miss the game due to the injury he suffered against Huddersfield at half-time.
Instead, Lacazette was fit to start at the Emirates Stadium and scored Arsenalâs goal.
United manager Mourinho made a pointed jibe towards Wenger when asked about his team news ahead of Sundayâs derby against early Premier League pace-setters Manchester City.
âIâm telling the truth,â Mourinho said when listing the availability of some of his players. âItâs the truth, eh? No stories of Lacazette or (Manchester City midfielder) David Silva. All the truth.â
Wenger, speaking ahead of Arsenalâs Europa League game against BATE Borisov, was asked about Mourinhoâs comments and said he was expecting to go into the United game without the former Lyon star.
âI thought he wouldnât play. In the end, he could play. What did you want me to do, leave him at home?â Wenger said on Wednesday.
âIâm always honest. I thought really that he wouldnât play, thatâs what I had been told.
âAfter, he had a test on Friday morning and went to the game. We werenât sure he would play but he tried and he played, thatâs part of football.â
Wenger says Lacazette recovered from his injury in time to face Manchester United.
Arsenal welcome Belarusian Premier League champions BATE on Thursday having already sealed top spot in Group H.
Wenger has made mass changes throughout the competition, handing valuable game time to the likes of Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud.
Even though progression into the last 32 has been assured, the Frenchman still intends to play those on the fringes of the first team, rather than blood a team of youngsters.
Asked how winning the group would affect his team selection, Wenger said: âNot too much, because I have many players available who need competition.
âNext week we go into a week with three games and so some players need competition, some experienced players. Weâll play quite an experienced team tomorrow.â
Wenger also warned the injury-plagued Wilshere to be careful when ice skating after pictures emerged of the midfielder with his family at a rink earlier in the week.
âItâs not ideal. For your balance itâs not bad but for a footballer I donât think itâs great. It depends as well on what you do,â he said.
âYou can do ice skating by bringing your child on and just making sure nothing happens to him, or (you can do) ice skating violently, I donât think he did that.ââ