Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants to scrap throw-ins
Arsene Wenger is revered for his revolutionary approach at Arsenal but his proposal to scrap throw-ins in favour of kick-ins is unlikely to carry much favour - particularly at the Britannia Stadium. [LNB]The Gunners are not the only Barclays Premier League team to have suffered an aerial bombardment from Stoke's long-throw specialist Rory Delap. [LNB] Air raid: Stoke's long-throw specialist Rory Delap[LNB]The Arsenal boss witnessed his side torn apart by two Delap deliveries in their visit to the Potters last season, when the former Republic of Ireland international set up both goals in the then-newly promoted side's 2-1 win. [LNB] It was a tactic which made a large contribution to Stoke's survival. [LNB]But as the Frenchman prepares his Arsenal team to play top-four rivals Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow - on an expansive pitch which reduces the threat of long throw-ins - the 60-year-old suggested kick-ins would allow the game to flow better. [LNB] He told the club's official website, www.arsenal.com: '(The rule I would change would be) maybe to play throw-ins by foot. Why not? I think it would make the game quicker." [LNB]Wenger believes the advantage gained by teams possessing long-throw specialists is unfair. [LNB]'For example at Stoke, for Rory Delap it is like kicking the ball,' he added. [LNB] 'It is a little bit of an unfair advantage. He is using a strength that is usually not a strength in football.' [LNB] Radical though it sounds, Wenger insists the suggestion would not be the most revolutionary change to the game as football evolved to its current format. [LNB] 'Football is the most popular team game in the world and one day some crazy guy said "we don't use the hands",' added the manager. [LNB]'How could you have imagined on that day a game that is completelynatural to play with your hands would become the most popular sport?'[LNB]Wenger has the more pressing concern of facing Villa tomorrow asArsenal seek to build on their four-match unbeaten league run. [LNB]CaptainCesc Fabregas' participation against the visitors, who have won all oftheir last four and are unbeaten in seven league games, is in doubt dueto a hamstring problem. [LNB]The Spain international has beenmissing since the December 16 draw at Burnley and withdrew fromtraining on Thursday due to the problem. [LNB] [LNB] 'There is still an uncertainty about him,' said Wenger. [LNB]'He was supposed to practice on Christmas Eve but he still had some pain in his leg.[LNB] 'We did not get him out so we still don't know if he will be available for the squad or not. It is 50-50. [LNB] 'He is a very influential player and a great player too so I want him to be with us.' [LNB]Fabregas' absence would add to a lengthy injury list. [LNB] Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Robin van Persie (ankle) remain out, along with full-back Gael Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee). [LNB]However, there is good news for Wenger with Armand Traore ready to return after his hamstring problem. [LNB] "Compared to the game against Hull we have Traore available again," added Wenger. [LNB] "But he is the only one back." [LNB] VIDEO: Arsenal can mount a sustained title push, insists top-four rival O'NeillWhat the back pages say: Dimitar Berbatov set for three months out, Sir Alex Ferguson questions Manchester City changes and Arsene Wenger tips young guns for glory[LNB] [LNB]
