Players don’t need extra protection, says Wenger

Manchester City stars do not need to be afforded the extra protection called for by manager Pep Guardiola, according to Arsene Wenger.

Wenger’s Arsenal meet City in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup final, Guardiola seeking his first silverware in English football.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has been fuming after seeing his players hit by a string of dangerous challenges in recent months.

Leroy Sane was forced off at Cardiff having been fouled by Joe Bennett, who was only cautioned but later offered an apology.

Kevin De Bruyne received similar treatment from Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace while youngster Brahim Diaz was hit by a knee-high challenge from West Brom’s Matt Phillips.

Those decisions formed part of a letter which Manchester City sent to the Professionalgamematchofficials Limited (PGMOL), reporting a total of nine challenges they felt had not been sufficiently punished.

But Wenger believes officials must simply apply the letter of the law rather than offer extra protection.

Asked about Guardiola’s comments, he said: “Protection yes, but we just want the referees to respect the rule book.

“It is all in the rules, we don’t need any extra protection. You want the referees to make the right decision, that’s all.

“Pep is maybe concerned by one or two situations where his players were tackled against Wigan on Monday night, which I can understand.

“But you don’t want extra protection, you want protection and that is just by the referee making the right decisions in the situations.”

Wenger has never won the League Cup but can complete a full set of major domestic honours, adding to his three Premier League titles and a record seven FA Cup triumphs, with victory this weekend.