Football
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Wenger warns Hodgson about letting seniors play in U21 tournament

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Roy Hodgson should not allow any of his England players to compete in next summer's European Under-21 Championship if he wants to do well in Euro 2016.

Hodgson said earlier this week that he will not stand in the way of England under-21 boss Gareth Southgate if he opts to select the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley or Jack Wilshere for the underage tournament at the end of the season.

Arsenal could also lose Three Lions senior squad members Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers, as well as Wilshere, with the trio all eligible to play in June's competition due to being born on or after Jan. 1 1992.

Wenger, however, feels Hodgson would be damaging his players -- and the senior team's chances of success -- by allowing them to play in international tournaments two years running, with Euro 2016 taking place the following summer.

"If Roy Hodgson wants to do well at the European Championship, I don't think it's in his interest to overload the players during the summer preceding the European Championship," he told a news conference.

"The European Under-21 [Championship starts] on June 17. The training starts at the beginning of July, then you count 50 to 55 games and then going to the European Championship without any holiday. I don't think that's ideal for the preparation of the English European campaign."

Asked whether he would leave it to his players to decide or if would he say: "Come on, Roy," Wenger replied: "Come on, Roy."

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