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Arsene Wenger hated visiting 'rugby team' Stoke so much he complained to the FA about grass length and tried to ban Rory Delap's long throws, reveals ex-Potters boss Tony Pulis

Arsene Wenger was so obsessed about bogey team Stoke City he complained to the Football Association about the length of grass and tried to get throw-ins banned.

Arsenal had a dreadful record away to the Potters during Wenger's tenure, losing there five times in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup.

Stoke's direct and aggressive manner of playing was despised by the Frenchman, who it seems exhausted every excuse to try and explain Arsenal's defeats there.

Arsene Wenger hated taking his Arsenal side to Stoke and had a poor record against them
The Frenchman even complained to the Football Association about the length of the grass

Wenger memorably disparaged Stoke as a 'rugby team' because of their long ball tactics and physicality, a stark contrast to the stylish football Arsenal tried to play.