RIISE RED CARD FOR WENGER

JOHN ARNE RIISE has blasted claims Fulham try to get opponents sent off.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was fuming after Johan Djourou was dismissed in the 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

The Frenchman claimed Fulham were targeting Djourou when he was on a yellow card.

But full-back Riise (left) said: “We would never do that.

“What we do is when people are strong like Karim Frei, we give the ball to them and make him go one against one and see what he can do.

“That is a tactic, but we never go out to get someone sent off. That is not fair play and we never do that.”

Fulham had a cracking Christmas and were unbeaten in their three matches, which included a draw with Chelsea and beating Arsenal.

That came after getting thrashed by Man United before the festive fixtures started.

“Team spirit is very high,” said Riise.

“Everyone said before the season that the Christmas period would be important for us because we played the big sides.

“But we played very well and we’re happy how it went, although against United we just didn’t play our football.

“They were the best team in the league but we shouldn’t lose 5-0.

“We were embarrassed how we played and the goals we conceded, but we showed character to bounce back.

“We drew against Chelsea and beat Arsenal, so we know we are a good team.”