Wenger calls for rule change

Gunners boss wants to scrap long throws

Last updated: 26th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger calls for rule change

Wenger: Puts forward radical proposition

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has proposed the radical suggestion of scrapping throw-ins in favour of kick-ins.

The experienced French tactician is unhappy some clubs gain an unfair advantage from having a long-thrower in their starting XI.

Wenger specifically pinpoints Stoke's Rory Delap who is able to hurl the ball into an opponents' penalty area from the sidelines.

The Gunners boss believes it is an unfair advantage and that the playing field would be levelled by simply allowing players to kick the ball back into play.

As well as levelling the playing field, Wenger thinks that it would speed up the game and make the spectacle all the more exciting.

Quicker

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

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

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

"Football is the most popular team game in the world and one day some crazy guy said 'we don't use the hands'.

"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?"

50-50

Meanwhile, Wenger is hopeful playmaker Cesc Fabregas will be fit to face Aston Villa on Sunday, but rates his availability as 50-50.

"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."