Arsene Wenger has warned Denilson to commit a deliberate foul next time he goes down injured.
Brazilian told to commit foul next time he goes down
Arsene Wenger has warned Denilson to commit a deliberate foul if goes down injured again in a bid to halt the opposing team from counter attacking.
The midfielder fell to the ground unchallenged in the centre circle against Everton on Saturday just moments after the Toffees had taken a 2-1 lead at Emirates Stadium.
The visitors immediately seized the initiative with Tim Cahill robbing the ball and slipping James Vaughan through on goal only for Manuel Almunia to save Arsenal.
In the end Tomas Rosicky's deflected effort in the final minutes rescued a point for the Gunners but Wenger knows how different it could have been had Denilson's slip been punished.
"I said to Denilson afterwards, 'if that happens you have to commit a handball.' I'm very serious," he said.
"If you go down, and there hasn't been a foul, you cannot ask Everton to stop their counter-attack and not to score.
Deliberate foul
"So, if you go down like that, at least put your hand on the ball and it's a free-kick."
The injury mystified supporters in the ground but Denilson insists it shouldn't keep him out for long.
"I don't remember what happened. I was just running with the ball and I felt a pain in my side. I couldn't run or stop the ball, but I feel okay now," he highlighted.
"I am going to have a scan and then I will know how long I will be injured, but I think I will be ready for Sunday (at Bolton)."
Despite the point the Gunners remain very much in the title hunt sitting three points off top of the table Chelsea but Wenger knows his side must avoid a repeat of the lack-luster display they produced against David Moyes' men.
"You could see from this match that every game is difficult and as soon as you drop your level a little bit, you are in danger," he pointed out.
"That is what happened to us. We did not find the speed in our passing to get Everton out of position and they did very well."
