Arsène Wenger has warmed up for his rematch with Steve Bennett by launching an attack on the poor refereeing standards and foul play that he believes are ruining English football.

Bennett is in charge of today’s FA Cup third-round tie between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield, his first meeting with Wenger since sending the Frenchman from the dugout for confronting him at half-time during the match against Portsmouth at the Emirates Stadium last month.

Wenger is appealing against the charge of improper conduct since brought by the Football Association and has been angered further by what he claims were bullying tactics employed by Sheffield United in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane, with his feelings inflamed by Phil Jagielka’s post-match claim that Arsenal “behaved like babies”.

“You cannot get me to come out and say it is normal to be punched and kicked everywhere,” the Arsenal manager said. “Come in the medical room after the game and see. To be kicked and punched and you still have to say, ‘Sorry, we are not strong enough’ is difficult to take. If that’s the way we are going, it does not progress English football because you cannot go to the World Cup and behave like that.

“I have to take it because we lost the game and I would be called a bad loser. I don’t feel it is right to punch people in the stomach and after say, ‘OK, they are babies crying.’ ”

Wenger was particularly incensed by Chris Morgan’s punch on Robin van Persie, for which the Sheffield United captain received a three-match ban after going unpunished at the time. “I’m not paranoid and there are some things you have and don’t have to accept,” Wenger said. “Neil Warnock [the Sheffield United manager] says to his team that they have to be absolutely committed, but after that the referee has to set how far they can go.

“In the end, he punished us twice. First of all, Morgan was not sent off and then he is suspended for games against our rivals, which helps them.”

Wenger insists that he has no problem with Bennett, but he defended his right to talk to officials. “When you see how we have been kicked in some games without having being allowed a foul, we are entitled to ask why,” he said.

“I can show you some video of what players say to the referee without being punished — and some very famous English players. There are plenty of managers who say to the referee ‘f*** off’, plenty of players who say ‘f*** off!’ ”

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