Opinion | English Premier League pandering to namby pambyism

Of all the things we fans enjoy when watching soccer, now is the time to count the number of tackles and savour them.

The Vincent Kompany red-card saga that has raged this week means tomorrow's clashes between Chelsea and Arsenal, and Spurs and Manchester United, could prove timely barometers and will be scrutinised to see if the scourge of modern society - obsessive attention to health and safety - has wriggled its corrosive ways into the game we adore for its physicality.

In the wake of Kompany's dismissal last weekend - he was sent packing for a two-footed tackle on Jack Wilshere during City's 2-0 win over Arsenal - many now fear the intrinsic characteristic which makes the English game so special is under threat. Latest statistics support concerns that EPL trademark tackling is a dying art form. The data shows that since the 2009-10 season, the number of tackles attempted during EPL fixtures have plummeted.

Meanwhile, other European top-flight leagues have been toughening up and are increasing their tackles in an attempt to offer the same rough-and-tumble, excitement as the British-style game.

So far this season, EPL games have averaged 38 tackles, compared with 43 three years ago - and the trajectory is downwards.

The stats support the increasing claims that EPL players - especially defenders - are holding back because they believe refs are becoming more inclined to issue a red card for putting a foot in.