Source: Daily_Mail
Wenger invites controversy telling injured Arsenal players to handball
Controversy: Wenger ordered his players to handball when injured[LNB]Arsene Wenger has invited controversy by ordering his players to handle the ball when they lose possession due to injury.[LNB]Denilson was on the ball in midfield at the Emirates on Saturday when he suddenly collapsed in pain clutching his side, allowing Everton to launch a quick counter attack which almost won them the game.[LNB]Manuel Almunia saved from James Vaughan to stop his side going 3-1 behind and Arsenal's players argued afterwards that the visitors should have kicked the ball out so the Brazilian could receive treatment.[LNB]But Wenger said: 'I wasn't upset that Everton played on. I said toDenilson that if that happens you have to commit a handball. I'm veryserious.[LNB] 'If you go down and there hasn't been a foul, you cannot ask Everton to stop their counter attack and not score. So, if you go down like that, at least put your hand on the ball and it's a free-kick.'[LNB]There was great concern for Denilson as he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher.[LNB] Unchallenged: Denilson tumbled to the floor without any contact from an opposing people, leading to big chance for Everton to seal victory[LNB] [LNB]Wenger said: 'It is a little bit mysterious at the moment. It could bean intercostal (muscle) problem. I've just seen him in the dressingroom and he can walk quite normally.[LNB]'We have to see if it is a broken rib, if it is a deeper problem with his lungs.'[LNB]Denilson has only just returned from a stress fracture of his back and there were fears he might have a recurrence of the problem.[LNB]That would have posed another midfield problem for Wenger at a time when Alex Song is away with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations but 21-year-old Denilson hopes to be fit to play at Bolton on Sunday.[LNB]'I think I'll be ready for Sunday,' said Denilson, who will have a scan on Monday to make sure. 'I was just running with the ball and felt this pain in my side.[LNB]'I couldn't run, I couldn't stop the ball but I feel okay now. It's not my back, it's my side.'[LNB] Arsenal 2 Everton 2: Gunners fall flat without A Song...and Arsene Wenger admits he knew midfielder would be missedArsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp heaps praise on old boss WengerArsenal 2 Everton 2: Toffees denied by injury time Rosicky sickenerALL THE ARSENAL FC
