Commit a handball if you need to, says Wenger

Arsene Wenger has asked his players to handle the ball if they get injured during play in order to stop the opposition from mounting an attack.

He revealed his plea following Denilson’s sudden collapse during the 2-2 draw with Everton on Saturday.

Wenger said: “I said to Denilson afterwards: ‘If that happens (again) you have to commit a handball.”

After Denilson fell to the ground, Everton took possession and had a shot which was saved by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Wenger said that he felt there was an important issue that had to be cleared up in these circumstances.

“I’m very serious. If you go down, and there hasn’t been a foul, you cannot ask Everton to stop their counter-attack and not to score,” he added.

He made it clear that he was not blaming the behaviour of the opposition.

“No. I wasn’t [upset that Everton played on],” said the Arsenal manager.

Denilson pulled up with a sudden pain in his side and the Arsenal medical staff are still unsure what caused the Brazilian’s sudden pain, although the player is to undergo a scan to see if he will be fit to face Bolton on Sunday.