Fergie failing his foreigners, claims Wenger

Manchester United boss Ferguson hinted that referee Howard Webb had favoured Arsenal during Saturday's 2-2 draw and followed that by applauding proposals by FIFA president Sepp Blatter to impose rules increasing the number of home-grown players in each team. He predicted Arsenal would be the club to 'protest the loudest'.

Arsenal manager Wenger hit back as he arrived here for tonight's Champions League match against Slavia Prague, saying: 'I feel it is not very nice to his own foreign players. I wouldn't be very happy if I was a foreign player at United. They have invested a lot of money in foreign players this year.'

Ferguson spent more than £40million on foreign quartet Nani, Anderson, Carlos Tevez and Tomasz Kusczcak this summer.

Wenger said: 'Sport involves quality and hiding behind artificial rules would not help. If you put the level of the class down, it doesn't necessarily make the bad students better, it makes them worse. To compete with the best players in the world is a chance to improve the level.

'If you organise a golf tournament, people go to watch Tiger Woods. If you go to Wimbledon, you want to see Roger Federer. That's what people demand today, that's modern life. People want to watch the best in the world and you cannot get them to watch a lower level any more. The real question is what do England have to do to produce world-class players?'

Ferguson claimed he and his staff were verbally abused by Arsenal supporters behind their dug-out on Saturday.

The Gunners launched an internal investigation and have evidence from independent witnesses who claim a member of United's security team wound up the home fans after Cristiano Ronaldo's goal put the visitors 2-1 up.

Ferguson said: 'Our security are compiling a report on the incidents behind us.

Arsenal FC have asked them to compile a report. They will have CCTV cameras to spot what happened.'

In fact, Arsenal officials asked United's security staff for their version of events straight after the game but they refused to co-operate.

Theo Walcott and Justin Hoyte are the only Englishmen in Arsenal's squad tonight against a side thrashed 7-0 at the Emirates.

Cesc Fabregas and Alexander Hleb are rested, Kolo Toure has been left at home after a slight knock and Tomas Rosicky has a groin strain.

Gilberto starts in midfield with William Gallas and Alex Song at the back.