Wenger plots a new year revolution

On the eve of Arsenal's visit to Leicester today, for a fixture with a tempestuous tradition, Arsène Wenger proved himself a French revolutionary by advocating a scheme whereby managers are allowed to use three "jokers" per game to challenge refereeing decisions with the use of instant television replays.

On the eve of Arsenal's visit to Leicester today, for a fixture with a tempestuous tradition, Arsène Wenger proved himself a French revolutionary by advocating a scheme whereby managers are allowed to use three "jokers" per game to challenge refereeing decisions with the use of instant television replays.

Many within the sport will regard the Arsenal manager's remarks as more appropriate to 1 April than 1 January, but Wenger argued that the stakes were too high for football to keep turning its back on TV technology. "Maybe in future we'll have three video interventions possible during a match that the manager can use tactically," he said. "In those three moments we could say: 'Stop! We challenge that decision and want the video panel to look at it'."

Wenger, who floated the suggestion in response to claims that his own midfielder, Robert Pires, dived in an attempt to win a penalty against Middlesbrough, added: "It's difficult to accept that you can lose big games without having a chance to say: 'Listen, referee, you can be wrong, we know that, but I'd like an opportunity to look at that again'."

Hot air, perhaps, although the collision of the bottom and top teams at Filbert Street hardly needs it. A giant, heated tent covers the pitch to ensure the match does not succumb to frost or snow, and Dave Bassett, the Leicester manager, has directed enough icy blasts at his side to make it work overtime.

Bassett described the contest – which also pits the division's worst home record against its best away form -- as "a big, defining game" in Leicester's relegation struggle. And he demanded greater professionalism from his players, who allowed nine-man Bolton to come from 2-0 down to draw on Saturday.

"I can't go home and slash my wrists because I can't be responsible for everything," Bassett said. "Myself and Micky Adams [assistant manager] have never thrown in the towel and we won't start now. We'll keep working, but we need help from the players. They must start taking responsibility for their actions."

This was a reference both to Leicester's performances and to the red cards incurred by Muzzy Izzet and Matt Elliott recently. Games involving Arsenal tend to be combustible affairs, and the last meeting, which Wenger's men won 4-0, saw Dennis Wise and Patrick Vieira dismissed following a flare-up reminiscent of Steve Walsh tangling with Ian Wright.

Leicester may need more than improved discipline to spring a shock. The clubs have met 13 times in the League since they last beat Arsenal, in 1994. Izzet, indeed, has never been on the winning side against the Gunners. "It's a massive game for us," the Turkey midfielder said. "We need to start winning at home and pick up points against the best teams."

With the second and fifth-placed teams, Newcastle and Manchester United, meeting tomorrow, any slip by Arsenal could let Leeds or Liverpool back in at the summit. Leeds, who faltered before the festive period, have regained momentum and defensive stability, although West Ham should test their nerve at Elland Road, where the London side won last season.

Having triumphed at Manchester United for the second time in a year, and come close to beating Liverpool on Saturday, West Ham are playing as excitingly under Glenn Roeder as at any time since the mid-1980s. Sven Goran Eriksson will surely be represented, for the World Cup claims of two 20-year-olds in Roeder's midfield, Michael Carrick and Joe Cole, would be enhanced by a mature display in a hostile atmosphere. The form of a boyhood Hammers fan, one Lee Bowyer, also merits close scrutiny.

Liverpool's autumn surge has slowed since winter kicked in. Yet the visit of Bolton, who defeated them at the Reebok Stadium last August in a game that ended the Anfield career of Sander Westerveld, offers an ideal opportunity to reassert their challenge. While Sam Allardyce's team showed great spirit against Leicester, battling with two men short for so long was hardly an ideal preparation for an afternoon of trying to restrain the jet-heeled Michael Owen and/or Nicolas Anelka.

Chelsea's spate of stunning away successes, against Manchester United, Newcastle and Leeds in the Worthington Cup, indicates that Claudio Ranieri has resolved last season's major problem. Ironically, they have been less convincing at home, the rout of Liverpool excepted, which makes anything other than victory over Southampton unacceptable for a side with championship aspirations.

John Gregory, the Aston Villa manager, confirmed yesterday that he will fight his corner after being ordered from the touchline during a Boxing Day dispute with a referee's assistant. Gregory, whose team launch the year at Sunderland, where he has made stinging criticism of referees on Villa's last two visits, was asked whether his response to the Football Association was placatory or condemnatory. "The latter," he said. "I've admitted I did say one or two things but I still believe I was right. Michael Owen was offside for Jari Litmanen's goal [for Liverpool]. In fact he was standing between the posts."

Meanwhile, Andy Cole, coveted by Gregory but signed by Graeme Souness, makes his Blackburn debut at Tottenham in opposition to a defender who could yet join him in England's summer squad, Dean Richards. With Spurs' Kasey Keller highlighting the need for a strong showing because his United States rival, Brad Friedel, is minding the opposite net, World Cup year is truly upon us.