Wenger angry over Sven tour

Arsene Wenger has condemned England's summer tour of America. England play the United States in Chicago on 24 May and four days later take on Colombia in New Jersey and Sven-Goran Eriksson is likely to want Arsenal defenders Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole for the tour.

Arsenal manager Wenger said: "I am not at all happy to lose Ashley and Sol. But I didn't organise the tour.

"On one hand you want the England national team to have a four-week break before the World Cup in 2006. But then you don't want to give them a holiday after a long and exhausting season.

"I cannot understand the logic of going to the United States. Half of the team will pull out anyway and the other half will be going after 55 games. Next season will start early anyway because of the World Cup and that means that the close season this year will be short.

"I cannot understand why international teams who are preparing for the World Cup have a busy summer this year. The most important thing is to give the players a breather."

The Football Association are hoping the tour will be a financial and marketing success and Wenger added: "Money? I think money might come into it!"