Arsene Wenger press conference LIVE: Arsenal boss talks to the media ahead of North London derby at Tottenham

ARSENE WENGER reckons betting should be outlawed in society as a whole after Joey Barton was banned from the game for 18 months – and forced to retire.

And Wenger backed calls for gambling to be cracked down on, not just in football, although he did save praise for the way football polices betting.

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Barton admitted his offences after over 700 flutters, but has also called on football to crack down on betting in the game.

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Wenger said: “It is a little bit of a general problem in our society.

“Everywhere you can bet so you cannot be surprised that some people can get addicted.

“If you don’t want people to bed, you don’t make betting official.

PA:Press Association

“Out of 100 people you would get five who get addicted, so if you don’t want that to happen don’t make it official.

“I think football deals with the problem very well.”