Source: Telegraph
Arsene Wenger urges referees to protect his Arsenal players
Arsenal - who have completed the signing of experienced French defender Sebastien Squillaci from Sevilla - head to Blackburn on Saturday looking to improve on their last visit. [LNB]In the wake of that 2-1 defeat, Wenger berated Rovers for showing "no purpose to play the ball" as they blocked keeper Lukasz Fabianski at every opportunity and also blamed referee Martin Atkinson for not providing his team with more protection. [LNB] Related ArticlesWenger relaxes age limits after signing SquillaciTottenham set to face holders Inter MilanChampions League analysisChampions League draw: as it happenedArsenal sign Squillaci from SevillaKroenke buys St Louis Rams for £292mWhile the Arsenal manager has no beef with Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce for looking to utilise a more direct approach, Wenger says there must be limits. [LNB]"When a team plays long ball and head the ball and become physical I accept that completely and I respect that - but it has to be in respect of the rules," said the Arsenal manager. [LNB]"I believe everybody looks at his squad and tries to find a way where the game is most efficient and we developed one way. It is not the only way, I respect every other way as long as the referees get the rules respected. [LNB]"I saw some pictures last Sunday; you cannot say anymore it is football, it is rugby on the goalkeepers [more] than football. [LNB]"The referees cannot go on and accept that. [LNB]"When you see how (Stoke defender) (Ryan) Shawcross kicked (Tottenham goalkeeper) (Heurelho) Gomes, how (Robert) Huth pushed Gomes in the goal, you cannot say that is football anymore. [LNB]"If the referees allow that you cannot accept that because that has nothing to do with the game." [LNB]Chris Foy is set to take charge of tomorrow's televised lunchtime encounter and Wenger says officials must uphold their first duty; to ensure player safety. [LNB]"I believe that in some situations the goalkeepers are not protected," he said. [LNB]"You cannot have players whose main role is to stop the goalkeepers from catching the ball and not even go for the ball." [LNB]
