Arsene Wenger has hit out at the decision to bring forward the start of the 15/16 season and has, reasonably, asked just how players are meant to have time to recover with such an early start.

He’s also had a go at FIFA for being, well, FIFA really.

With a host of international tournaments this summer for the youngsters, the Copa America and other internationals scheduled for the first two weeks after the season is supposed to be over, Wenger is facing the prospect of either giving his players less time off or giving himself a shorter period with which to prepare his squad for the new season.

“I am really surprised Fifa authorised [the Copa America],” Wenger said.

“I’ll watch [the Copa America], but with a little bit of fear.

“Sanchez has played 50 games for us and goes there again, having already played in the World Cup last summer.

“It is disappointing that Fifa speak a lot about the health of the players, but when you look at the competition that is organised, this Copa America, and look at the date of the start of the Premier League, it is not reasonable.

“Moving the fixture calendar forward deeply affects pre-season and I believe it is the wrong decision of the Premier League to start on August 8.

“The players have played the (2014) World Cup, then you have no winter break, you come out (of the Premier League season) and when you reach the FA Cup final, you play on May 30, then the European players who are called up by their international teams play until June 14, then you start (the new season) on August 8.

“If you count six weeks’ preparation, where is the time for recovery?

“As a manager, you usually have a bit of time to relax after the season when there is no international competition, but this year we finish at the end of May and start again at the end of June.

“It takes you two weeks to just get out of the heat of the Premier League and then you have to prepare again.”

Arsenal are due to take part in the Barclay’s Asia Trophy in Singapore on 15th July with another game on 18th. They will then fly back to prepare for the Emirates Cup which takes place one week later on 25th and 26th July.

Should Arsenal win the FA Cup they would then have to play Chelsea the following week at Wembley before the league gets under way the following weekend.

Given that the Copa America doesn’t finish until 11 days before Arsenal are due in Singapore, you can understand his frustration.