According to the statistics Arsenal are the second most fouled team in the Premiership. But I'd suggest that in reality Arsenal are in fact by far the most fouled team in the Premiership. 'Play on' is the norm in any Arsenal game, otherwise there would be no game for fans to watch, but just an endless series of free kicks given the number of times the opposition attempt to kick our players. Fabregas for example is awarded about one free kick for every two or three times he's actually fouled. Maybe only one free kick for every four or five times some Neanderthal attempts to foul him. Arsenal should have had three penalties against Stoke but were awarded only one - this is our normal ratio for free kicks awarded as opposed to those that could or should've been. So the statistics are pure bunk. Free kicks awarded and free kicks that should have been awarded are two entirely different sets of statistics.

If an Arsenal player went down every time there was an attempted foul the majority of our players would be on the deck for almost the entire match. For Arsenal there is no advantage in going down to gain a free kick. What is the point in stopping play and allowing eleven men to get behind the ball yet again just because, for example, Walcott is taken out off the ball in a breakaway attack in order to prevent his run?

Arsenal players either ride or hurdle the vast majority of attempted fouls, they have to or the majority would all end up in hospital with Ramsey. This is just the opposite to teams such as Hull or Blackburn who throw themselves to the ground whenever possible just to get themselves a set play. Maybe Arsenal should work more on set plays and the dubious ways of obtaining them, but they don't. Arsenal under Wenger, rightly or wrongly, prefer to play football. They prefer to take quick free kicks rather than slow play down.

Arsenal then are awarded the second highest number of free kicks in the Premiership. But are quite clearly by far the most fouled team in the division.

By the way just to put the record straight on Ryan Shawcross. He dearly loves his mum. The Krays adored their mum and Hitler was very fond of animals. So f**king what? A 50/50 tackle is one where both players contest fairly and squarely foot to foot. Not one where one player’s foot meets another's shin half way between ankle and knee.

(Ed’s note – been forwarded this link of some journos actually agreeing that Arsenal are not protected enough. Sender Paul Farey thought it should be brought to more people’s attention. Job done.)