Wenger: Ban loans for players aged over 21
Published 22:30 25/01/12 By Darren Lewis
Arsene Wenger has called for a ban on Premier League clubs loaning each other players over the age of 21.
Wenger has seen his Arsenal side’s arch-rivals Tottenham benefit from borrowing Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor to the tune of nine goals in 19 games, a return that has lifted them above the Gunners in the race for a top four finish.
Adebayor was ruled out of last Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at his parent club under the terms of the loan agreement.
But Wenger said: “Personally, I would not ban players on loan from playing against their own clubs.
“What I would like to see in the Premier League is that you are not allowed to loan players over the age of 21.”
The Frenchman, who has midfielder Yossi Benayoun, 31, on loan from Chelsea, added: “At the moment it is an opportunity for some clubs to reinforce other teams, without losing ownership of the player.
“For example, if a big club sends a big player to another club in the Premier League on loan, they only have benefits.
“That player cannot face his own club, yet he could win games against their rivals.
“Therefore, I think it would be better if players over 21 didn’t go on loan in the top league.”
Defending his decision to bring in Benayoun, he said: “It’s true that I haven’t done that often.
“But we were on the last day of the transfer window. We knew that Jack Wilshere would need surgery.
“So we were short in midfield at that point and to find two players so late was nearly impossible for us without using a loan.
“At that time, the most important thing was just to sign him.”
