Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger has called on officials to give goalkeepers more protection ahead of his side’s visit to Blackburn Rover this weekend.
Wenger is prepared for a battle at Ewood Park and is looking to avenge his side's 2-1 reverse in May last season.
His comments come as the Gunners return to the ground where he claimed Rovers were overly-physical towards his keeper and showed "no purpose to play the ball".
Wenger said: "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.
Wenger was recently reminded of the more agricultural aspects of the beautiful game when Stoke City took on his London neighbours Tottenham last weekend.
He said: "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."
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