Jamie Carragher rubbishes Arsene Wenger's new offside rule proposal and claims the radical change would be 'TERRIBLE for the game'

The former Arsenal boss first discussed the change to the offside rule in 2020Wenger is reportedly keen to see the change implemented as soon as possibleIAN LADYMAN: The Premier League title race went to the wire, it is not boring compared to other European leagues! - Listen to the It's All Kicking Off! podcast 

Jamie Carragher believes that Arsene Wenger's proposed amendment to the offside rule would be 'terrible for the game'.

On Wednesday it was reported that the former Arsenal boss, now FIFA's chief of global football development, was set to move forward with his idea to introduce the 'daylight' principle to offsides, following positive trials.

The change, which Wenger first discussed in 2020, would mean that a player is onside if any part of their body that can score a goal is behind or level with the relevant defender.

But Carragher reckons the alteration would lead to a seismic shift in the way teams are forced to defend and result in managers resolving to set their sides up more negatively.

'This will be terrible for the game as teams will defend completely differently than we see now.' The former Liverpool defender wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 'Lots of lows blocks & teams being negative.

Arsene Wenger is reportedly set to press ahead with his plans to introduce the 'daylight' principle to offsides

Jamie Carragher believes the change will be terrible for the game and lead to more defensive teams

The former Liverpool defender railed against the proposal on social media, insisting football does not need to provide more advantages to attackers

'How would you defend a set piece!! We don’t need more advantage for the attacker, the game is seeing more goals scored than ever!!!!'

According to The Times, Wenger has become convinced of the idea after good results in trials conducted in Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands.

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His bid has the backing of former Gunners and FA vice-chairman David Dein, who told the outlet that the current rules are 'too contentious and problematic'.

Wenger is reportedly keen to adopt the new law as swiftly but it likely to face pressure for trials at more senior levels.

Tight offside calls have continued to enrage football fans this season, perhaps none more so than Coventry's disallowed goal in the closing minutes of their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester United.

A FIFA spokesman told The Times: 'The discussion around changing the offside law is not new and it is not something we will see introduced at higher levels imminently.

'The idea was first discussed in 2020 as we felt it was something worth exploring and testing to see the effect it could have on the game. Fifa committed to trialling the amended offside law, favouring the attacker, which has been applied in selected youth competitions across Europe.

'We will continue with these trials, assess the results and discuss with all relevant stakeholders.'

VAR ruled Coventry's extra-time winner in the FA Cup semi-final against Man United last month marginally offside and a source close to the PGMOL confirmed to Mail Sport that the decision was correct

Last month, Premier League clubs voted unanimously to introduce semi-automated offsides, which has been deployed successfully in the World Cup, Champions League and other major domestic leagues.

Wenger championed the system's use at the 2022 World Cup, where it debuted to great success.