Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says the physical style of English football makes foreign imports better players.

Wenger rubbishes the theory that the blood n' thunder Premier League hurts development.

"I don't think it holds players back," he said. "In fact, the opposite, the foreign players who come to England improve.

"I've seen so many French players complain about the physicality when they arrived in England. I tell them it will take some time but the intensity of the game will make them better players.

"It was worse 15 years ago than it is now. Fifteen years ago no-one would have spoken about the Carroll challenge. Now everything is analysed on TV.

"Some players complained and then, after they moved away, they missed the English game.

"What I regret is when it goes overboard and we lost some players like Eduardo and Diaby who paid a high price for that aspect. It is a fine line, that's why I say it is the intention that counts.

"When I brought Pires here he was not especially physical player but no-one could stop him from playing his game.

"Overmars, Bergkamp, nobody could stop them. You cannot say it's physical or it's kicking, it's just that the commitment is high and that's what you want."