Gerrard ‘should have been sent off’

Arsenal 1, Liverpool 0

Wenger believes the Gunners are ready for a physical battle this season as he expects sides to attempt to knock them out of their stride.

But while he felt they showed their stomach for the impending fight in defeating Liverpool 1-0 in Cardiff through Gilberto Silva’s 69th-minute strike, he was critical of Gerrard’s early foul. The England international, who missed the World Cup due to a groin operation, was like a man possessed as he fouled Vieira after five minutes before then promptly coming close to earning himself a second yellow card.

Wenger said: ‘‘It was a bad challenge on Patrick. It was the only really bad challenge of the game as the rest were just a bit late.

‘‘I like Gerrard as a player but he should normally have seen red for that kind of tackle. He is a great player but that tackle was reckless and dangerous.

‘‘You never expect somebody to behave in an unfair way. Patrick doesn’t expect any presents on the pitch but he does expect everyone to behave fairly as, if that doesn’t happen, you have no football any more.’’

Wenger had always planned to bring Brazilian World Cup winner Silva, a £4.5 million summer signing, on at half-time in front of 67,337 fans.

‘‘There are two attitudes to being champions. One is to get respect. Another is to get kicked more and to face more aggression as people want to beat you more,’’ said Wenger.

Wenger is determined to ensure his team build on their double success, rather than in 1999 when Manchester United responded to another trophyless season by sweeping to the treble.

Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek kept his team in the Community Shield with fine saves from Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp before Silva struck in his first major appearance since the World Cup final. “He’s an intelligent boy, makes things simple and gets into the box at the right time,’’ said Wenger, who principally signed him to allow Vieira more freedom to get forward. Maybe he was still a bit surprised by the physical side of the fight but he will adapt quickly.”

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier claimed his side showed Arsenal ‘‘too much respect’’ in their Cardiff defeat.

‘‘It took us half an hour just to get into the game. We started to get into it more after that but on the whole Arsenal deserved their win.”

ARSENAL: Seaman, Lauren, Campbell, Keown, Cole, Parlour, Edu (Silva 45), Vieira, Wiltord, Bergkamp (Kolo Toure 85), Henry.

LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Xavier (Babbel 78), Hyypia, Henchoz, Traore (Cheyrou 88), Hamann (Murphy 67), Gerrard, Riise, Diouf, Heskey (Baros 74), Owen (Smicer 85).

Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).