• Premier League

Wenger stands by comments made after Ramsey injury

Soccernet staff
March 5, 2010
Arsene Wenger complained about Stoke's tackling after Arsenal beat them 3-1 © Getty Images
Enlarge

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger maintains there must always be a place in the game for the art of tackling - but continues to stand by his comments in the aftermath of Aaron Ramsey's double leg break at Stoke.

Ramsey saw his season ended by a challenge from Ryan Shawcross which left him with a fractured tibia and fibula, with the 19-year-old now set for a long road to rehabilitation.

In the immediate aftermath of last Saturday's game at the Britannia Stadium, which Arsenal went on to win 3-1 to re-ignite their title challenge, Arsene Wenger condemned the challenge as ''horrendous and unacceptable'', while also criticising Stoke's overall approach.

''I stand by what I said 100%,'' Wenger declared ahead of the game against Burnley. ''I knew exactly what would happen the whole week, that was quite easy to predict.

''I am sitting here like I am in a tribunal. What do I have to defend? Is it a football game or something else? I can understand people want to be committed against us, and I have no problem with that.

''I love the commitment of the English game. I don't want to change that and it makes the game even more attractive, but high commitment demands fair intention as well.''

Claiming he likes the art of tackling as much as passing, Wenger added: ''I admire a great technical tackle as much as a creative pass. A tackle is an art in itself - that means you always have your eye on the ball, never with a high foot, in your tackle you can already make a pass. To close your eyes and go in too physical, that does not mean it is intention, but there is danger.

Arsene Wenger remains defiant

''Tackling is an art you do not want to get out of the game. We have some good tacklers in this league, some who are not good - but that does not mean you go into it trying to break a leg. It is not Arsenal against the rest of the world. What I say here is valid for the Arsenal players as well.

''I want the Arsenal players to go into the tackles like everybody else, to go into the tackles and be committed. What I say it not just for Stoke or Arsenal players, it is for everybody. I defend football.

''It is not that we are apart from anybody else. We are the same. I am continuing to defend the values that I believe are important for our club and football. That doesn't mean we are angels and everyone else is the devil. It is for everybody.''

But Wenger maintains there is no point in continuing to debate the issue, as it does not help his player now.

''I believe that on our side we have made one decision to support Aaron Ramsey as much as we can and then continue to promote the values that are important for the club and football,'' he said. ''All the rest is to go into unneeded controversy. I don't see how that can help football or Aaron Ramsey. It is important to focus on the future, help Aaron Ramsey and let people talk.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices