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Wenger fumes as 'nonsensical' law rules Auba out

Cape Town - Arsenal head into their chilly Europa League Round of 32 tie against Ostersunds of Sweden on Thursday without the services of new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang thanks to a ruling that Arsene Wenger has labelled "nonsensical".  

Wenger has criticised UEFA after Aubameyang was ruled out of playing for Arsenal in the Europa League because of a technicality.

UEFA rules state that players are ineligible if they have appeared in the same competition for another club or, as in Aubameyang's case, they have played for another club that is currently in the same competition.

The Gabon striker cannot play because he featured for the German club in the Champions League, before they dropped down to the Europa League, meaning Arsenal could face Dortmund later this season.

The ruling means the Gunners are without either of their front-line strikers as Alexandre Lacazette has also been ruled out through injury.

"Unanimously, I believe that all the clubs agree now this rule has to disappear in Europe," Wenger told a press conference.

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

"Unanimously everywhere in Europe now the clubs are against this rule."

Fellow transfer window signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan is available for selection after moving from Manchester United as Jose Mourinho's side are still in the Champions League.

Wenger said Danny Welbeck will lead the line.

"He looks sharper than he has in a long time, very sharp," said Wenger. "[Central striker] is where I prefer him. It's an opportunity for him to do well."

Meanwhile, Arsenal may have to deal with sub-zero temperatures in the away leg, something that Wenger said doesn’t bother him.

"The temperature, at the moment I don't find too much different from London," he said. "It shouldn't be a problem."

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