Allardyce accuses Wenger

Sam Allardyce has accused Arsene Wenger of trying to influence referees to try and make Arsenalplayers untouchable.

The Gunners manager has again criticised heavy challenges on his players following an injury to Abou Diaby and hinted that some opponents have no intention of winning the ball.

Blackburn boss Allardyce, who has often clashed with Wenger in the past over his teams' style of play, said the Frenchman had almost succeeded in influencing match officials.

Allardyce said: "Arsene has most of the media in his pocket now and is almost - almost - affecting the officials so that you can't tackle an Arsenal player.

"That's something he's very clever at working on and it's almost working in his favour, you can see that.

"Read his interview before the Stoke City v Aston Villa match, what he said and how he said it - he's a very, very clever man in terms of influencing referees, officials and everybody in football. He can't be brought up for it because it's about another match - rather just before he plays us."