Arsene Wenger was fuming at the treatment his Arsenal team received at Stoke last week, while Sir Alex Ferguson often claims his side are not looked after by referees.

But, ahead of tomorrow's showdown between Arsenal and United at the Emirates Stadium, Ferdinand claimed no team should be punished for adopting a physical approach, provided they stay within the laws.

"If there is any maliciousness in tackles, the players have to be protected but I think if you are going in fairly to win the ball it is part and parcel of the game," said Ferdinand.

"I am one of those who think the referees are a bit too whistle-happy at the moment and any contact gets punished."

Wenger was particularly critical of tackles on Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott at the Britannia Stadium.

But while Ferdinand believes the challenge of former United team-mate Ryan Shawcross on Adebayor, which has ruled the Togo star out of tomorrow's game, went too far he has no complaints about Rory Delap's tackle on England team-mate Walcott.

"The one on Adebayor was a bad tackle but the one on Theo was not as bad as everyone made out," he said.

"I didn't think he got injured through the impact of the tackle. I felt it was when he landed."

Walcott has recovered quickly enough and should play tomorrow, posing a problem for Ferdinand and his defensive colleagues.

The former West Ham star is refusing to get carried away by talk of Arsenal being on a steep decline, knowing only too well what happened at Old Trafford a couple of years ago.

"People were saying the same thing and Arsenal beat us," said Ferdinand.

"We have set our stall out to win the league. To do that you have to beat the teams around you. Arsenal fall into that category."

Three points would be the best possible present for Ferdinand, who celebrated his 30th birthday today by meeting Diego Maradona at United's Carrington training ground.

"It is probably my best year presents-wise," he smiled.

"I have a signed Diego Maradona shirt and a Manchester United book, plus a This is Your Life book, which is superb.

"I am no longer the youngster now. People write that I am the experienced player; a veteran, a warhorse.

"I have some experience under my belt now. I have played a lot of games, at different levels, in different countries. That should stand me in good stead for the coming years."