Arsenal Football Club

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60432

Wenger happy with physical games

15 Sep 2010 - 07:31:26

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has no problems with the rough and tumble of the Premier League, but he does want to see players adopt a more cautious approach when they go in for tackles.

The Gunners will be without Abou Diaby for Wednesday's Champions League opener against Braga after he suffered injury in the weekend victory over Bolton Wanderers.

Diaby was pole-axed by a full-blooded challenge from Trotters hard-man Paul Robinson and, although Wenger is relaxed over the physical nature of some of his side's opponents, he doesn't want to see things get out of hand.

"I would say even the English referees are different when they have matches in Europe. There is less permissive on goalkeepers, on commitment," he said.

"But more protection can become boring as well - I have seen some countries when every little push or shoulder-to-shoulder is a foul and then it becomes boring because they interrupt the game too much.

"I prefer, by miles, the philosophy of the English game - but you need to know everyone goes for the ball.

"I must say I love the way the English game is played in England and the one restriction has to be full commitment with the intention of going for the ball and only for the ball.

"Then, I prefer English football, ten times as much to the European game. The English game becomes dangerous when the players go to hurt each other."