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Wenger - No issue with early kick-offs

Arsenal's disappointing results away to their title rivals last season had no relevance to the kick-off times, according to Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners take on champions Manchester City in the early game on Saturday as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

Wenger's team suffered heavy away defeats to City, Liverpool and Chelsea last term but the Arsenal manager pointed to last season's FA Cup quarter-final victory against Everton as proof that his side can turn up and perform in the lunchtime kick-offs.

"I think it was more the quality of our opponents and the lack of quality in our performance"

"I think the coincidence was that we played against very strong teams away from home at 12.45," Wenger said.

"I think it was more the quality of our opponents and the lack of quality in our performance that produced a result, not the kick-off time.

"At home we've played well at 12.45. In the FA Cup we had great games at 12.45. It's not the kick-off time, it's your performance. It's how you turn up. At 12.45 or three o'clock - for me that's just talk. It's the quality of the performance that counts.

"Would you rather kick off at 3 o’clock or 12.45? It’s two hours and 15 minutes. That does not produce a miracle in your physical recovery. Sometimes maybe, on our side, we go a bit too much overboard on that. I think 12.45 is a good kick-off time. I like it."

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