Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has no problems with hard tackles providing they do not involve "excessive force." The Premier League leaders host Hull on Saturday and Tigers chief Phil Brown maintains his men will look to deploy strong-muscle tactics as a way of stifling the Gunners.

"I love commitment, but it is down to intention of the player and to a technical ability," said the Arsenal manager.

"For me a good tackle is as beautiful to watch as a good volley - but you have to be sure about the quality of the tackling, and it must be one-footed. I never understand why you need two legs to tackle at a good ball.>p> "Secondly, you must not put extra aggression in. You need adapted force in every tackle. Excessive force is punished by the law - and you can read the rules, that is a red card."

Referring to Brown, Wenger maintains managers have a responsibility to stress fair play to their squad.

"Maybe in his mind it is tough, but correct - and if it is correct I do not have a problem with it."

"If the desire is to hurt your opponent, it is not acceptable because that is not the game. The beauty of sport is to win in respect of the rules.

"If as manager we start to say 'we don't have to respect the rules', then that can't be accepted. You have to respect the rules.

"It is like that in every sport, when you play tennis and the ball goes out, you cannot say 'because it is me, it is still good'."