Football: Wenger renews rivalry with Allardyce

LONDON: Arsenal’s visit to West Ham today will rekindle the potentially explosive touchline rivalry between Arsene Wenger and Sam Allardyce. Wenger’s squad will make the trip without France midfielder Abou Diaby. Diaby’s thigh injury prompted Wenger to criticise France coach Didier Deschamps for his decision to select the player in recent internationals despite his fitness problems. Deschamps, though, has responded forcefully. “I want to remind Wenger that I am the only one to decide who will be picked and how long those who are picked will play,” said Deschamps. “There is only one to decide and it’s me.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2012.