Pundit unhappy at ‘massive’ Arsenal development that’s ‘the last thing we want’
Kevin Phillips has slammed Wolves for their part in the postponement of their fixture against Arsenal.
The former Sunderland striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted clubs should utilise their youngsters if fixtures are in danger.
As announced by Wolves yesterday (26 December), their Tuesday fixture against Arsenal has been postponed following injuries and positive COVID tests in the ranks of the Midlands club.
The Premier League accepted the Molineux side’s request to postpone as Bruno Lage did not have the required number of players to call on (13 outfielders and one goalkeeper).
When asked about a potential solution, Phillips told Football Insider: “Everyone is going to have their opinion on this.
“The last thing we want is a fixture pile-up or a massive backlog of games in the New Year.
“You become a professional footballer to play football. If you’ve got professionals at the club on a contract, enough to put on the pitch, you should play the game.
“Of course, people need to isolate. If you’ve got 18-year-old’s available – it doesn’t even matter if it’s five on the pitch – then you should play.
“What’s the point in them signing professional contracts or having them at the club if they’re not going to play? This is an opportunity to play them, through the circumstances.
“If you make that rule for everyone then games shouldn’t be called off. Every club should have 20 or 30 professionals at the club.
“You can’t keep postponing games.”
The fixture is the 15th to be postponed in December alone.
Leeds United’s clash against Aston Villa also fell foul of the recent COVID-19 outbreak.
In other news, Campbell is ‘buzzing’ for one Arsenal player after an ‘incredible’ training ground reveal.