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'Three days’ rest doesn’t affect result'

Arsene Wenger says only having three days’ rest between games does not have a negative effect on a team’s results.

Arsenal have had to recover quickly following Thursday night’s 2-0 win against West Bromwich Albion, and are now preparing for Sunday’s fixture at Sunderland.

It will be the Gunners’ third game in seven days but Wenger insists that the congested fixture list is not a problem for his side.

"There’s a very interesting study that has come out from Uefa that shows that the points taken by the teams three days later are not less than after four or five days"

Arsene Wenger

“Between Thursday and Sunday and Wednesday and Saturday morning is exactly the same,” the manager said. “You know we played on Wednesday night at Barcelona and then on Saturday against Everton at 12.45pm.

“It’s no problem. In fact, there’s a very interesting study that has come out from Uefa that shows that the points taken by the teams three days later are not less than after four or five days. It’s the opposite and that is quite interesting.

“The study has been made in all the five best leagues in Europe. Nobody has proven that it is a disadvantage to have only three days rest. The points on average are better than after four or five days.”

Sunderland have only lost one of their last six games, beating relegation rivals Norwich City 3-0 last Sunday, and Wenger has credited Sam Allardyce with the Black Cats’ recent resurgence.

“They have found a stability with him because has big experience,” Wenger said. “They have a good midfield now. They play most of the time Kirchhoff, Cattermole and M’Vila, who are quite a balanced midfield.

“Up front the have Khazri on the left, who is dangerous as well. Overall I think Allardyce has found a good balance. We are in a position where we want the three points so it should be an interesting battle.”

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