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' It would be a problem for a club like Arsenal, that's why they'll protest the loudest,' Ferguson said. 'But it's certainly not wrong that clubs should be seen to have a proportion of home-based players. I totally agree with Fifa president Sepp Blatter for the good of the game.' Arsenal have no English players in their first XI. The closest they come is Theo Walcott, the 18-year-old who played just 16 minutes against United. Ferguson's side, however, started that game with four Englishmen, including Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand. Two more came off the bench, and that is not counting the injured Paul Scholes and Gary Neville. Ferguson could well get his wish soon. Blatter, while in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, admitted he was working with the European Union to reduce the number of overseas players in leagues across Europe. He wants a limit of five foreigners in any starting line-up. The other six berths should comprise players eligible to be selected for the national team of the country where the league is based. He said: 'Things are happening to bring local players back to club football.' Wenger hit back, claiming that no coach 'at the highest level' would think it is a good idea. He said: 'I find the whole proposal completely ridiculous. 'The thinking behind it is to protect the national teams. 'But it won't protect the best players, it will protect the mediocre ones. You don't win a World Cup with mediocre players, you win it with world-class ones. 'The best English players - the Rooneys, the Owens, the Gerrards, the Lampards - they are all playing for their clubs anyway.' Trying to provoke Wenger is probably what Ferguson wants, now that he feels Arsenal have replaced Chelsea and Liverpool as United's most credible challengers this season. He has already hit out at the standard of refereeing in the Arsenal draw and called ticket prices at the Emirates Stadium 'obscene'. His post-match handshake with Wenger was the briefest of touches, with no eye contact, and their relationship will not be helped by his latest remarks. Arsenal's chance for revenge comes today, in the shape of Oleg Luzhny, who won the Premier League and FA Cup in 2002 with them. He will take charge of Dynamo Kiev for the Champions League clash with United. He is stepping up from his role as assistant coach, after head coach Jozsef Szabo was hospitalised with a heart problem. A win would help the Red Devils, who won 4-2 in Ukraine last month, advance to the knockout stage with two games remaining. United's Owen Hargreaves claimed that Kiev feared United in their last match. 'Dynamo seemed a bit afraid of us in Kiev,' he said. 'It is very rare in the Champions League that you see someone pulled apart so easily and concede four goals at home. 'I am sure Kiev will try to redeem themselves. But we are at home and we are expecting to win.' AGENCE-FRANCE PRESSE, REUTERS Manchester United v Dynamo Kiev
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