Wenger calls on refs to toughen up

The Gunners face Blackburn on Saturday and Sam Allardyce’s side are well known for their physicality.

“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,” said Wenger.

“I saw some pictures last Sunday; you cannot say any more it is football, it is rugby on the goalkeepers [more] than football.

“The referees cannot go on and accept that.

“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 any more.

“If the referees allow that you cannot accept that because that has nothing to do with the game.

“Apart from that, when a team play 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, that is all.”