Merseysiders thrashed the Gunners on the weekend.
Everton head coach Roberto Martinez has hit back at Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger over the Frenchman’s recent criticisms about the Toffees’ use of the loan system, according to to reports in the Daily Mirror.
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Wenger claimed in the aftermath of watching the north London club lose 3-0 to the Merseysiders at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon that the home team had gained an unfair advantage by being able to use players from other clubs, such as Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and Gerard Deulofeu.
However, the Spaniard has rejected his rival’s claims, saying: “To criticise us is ridiculous…it would be the same as criticising us for developing a lot of young players, and giving them a chance, which is what we have done this season.
“The loan system is something that has to be part of the game – we have seven players ourselves out on loan and you need to develop young players.
“It’s just a question of finding a loan system that works. It has got its pros and cons – but from our point of view it works.
“And remember, no loan player would be a success unless you had a strong core group of players, which is what we have here. People forget that.
The loan market is a need – the players available are either very young and haven’t had opportunities to play, or more experienced players who don’t have the chances any more.
“Many times you find players who have been treated unfairly just because they are not part of the long term plans of the club, or youngsters who don’t get a chance, so it is providing a requirement for those players.
“More and more you can have clubs with young players who are not getting opportunities. It is very, very difficult for a young player to have opportunities, and then they must look at those clubs who give them a chance to develop.”