Thetownend.com

I know this is somethign that sepp blatter has touched on but it looks like someone been spending too much time with him.
Wengers at it now, does he realise how stupid he sounds in that article.

 www.teamtalk.com

The Arsenal boss witnessed his side torn apart by two Rory Delap deliveries in their visit to Stoke last season, when the former Republic of Ireland international set up both goals in the then-newly promoted side's 2-1 win.

It was a tactic which made a large contribution to Stoke's survival.

But as the Frenchman prepares his Arsenal team to play top-four rivals Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday - 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.

He told the club's official website: "(The rule I would change would be) maybe to play throw-ins by foot. Why not? I think it would make the game quicker."

Wenger believes the advantage gained by teams possessing long-throw specialists is unfair.

"For example at Stoke, for Rory Delap it is like kicking the ball," he added.

"It is a little bit of an unfair advantage. He is using a strength that is usually not a strength in football."

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.

"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.

"How could you have imagined on that day a game that is completely natural to play with your hands would become the most popular sport?"

Wenger has the more pressing concern of facing Villa on Sunday as Arsenal seek to build on their four-match unbeaten league run.

Captain Cesc Fabregas' participation against the visitors, who have won all of their last four and are unbeaten in seven league games, is in doubt due to a hamstring problem.

The Spain international has been missing since the December 16 draw at Burnley and withdrew from training on Thursday due to the problem.

"There is still an uncertainty about him," said Wenger.

"He was supposed to practice on Christmas Eve but he still had some pain in his leg.

"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.

"He is a very influential player and a great player too so I want him to be with us."

Fabregas' absence would add to a lengthy injury list.

Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Robin van Persie (ankle) remain out, along with full-back Gael Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee).

However, there is good news for Wenger with Armand Traore ready to return after his hamstring problem.

"Compared to the game against Hull we have Traore available again," added Wenger.

"But he is the only one back

I've only read the first few lines. I think having a team in the English Premier League with very few English,or even UK, players is unfair.

From what he says about it being an unfair advantage to have a long throw specialist, you could pretty much argue that Arsenal have an unfair advantage because they have alot of pace and skill compared to other teams.

You have those attributes in the team, you're bound to use them.

Do one Wenger you absolute prick.

ye i second half goes on to talk about the teams injuries etc, so you got the jist of it, what a pleb.

if im not mistaken vermalen has got quite a hefty throw on him anyway.

i can see where wengers coming from.we all know his philosophy on how football should be played.
long throws launched all over the park aint how he likes it.
that said teams like stoke play within the rules so until it's changed why not use it to their advantage.
i do like the idea of kick ins as it is football after all

um i may be wrong but if it was kick ins then arsenal would then get bombarded with long kick ins from every team and not just stoke? Which would not be a advantage would it

Why change the laws now, bloody leave it. Stick to five a side if you want kick ins.

That would totally ruin the suspense when you wonder if a ball has crossed the line for a throw or a corner!

And any time the ball went out in an attackign area it would be like havign a dangerous free-kick, so defences would completely change how they deal with the ball when under pressure. It wou;dn't be a minor change, it would change football quite radically

I think we should go the whole hog.

Build a wall around the pitch and then some cage fencing so the ball only goes out of play if it gets kicked over the fence.

If kick ins would improve the game I'd be all for it, but I can't see how they would.

Wenger is an absolute prick for suggesting them due to other teams having an unfair advantage. There is a far simpler solution which obviously hasn't occurred to him - get your own throw in specialist. Its not like it would be that difficult training one of your players to do it.

Footballers have different attributes Wenger. Some of yours are better at things Stoke players aren't good at. So put down the crack pipe and stop worrying about stupid things. Perhaps try and concentrate on proving you aren't a one team wonder by winning something with your current squad;)

We could play our home games at the Oasis :)