Ex-Liverpool FC and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore believes Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger’s post-match reaction to Ryan Shawcross’ challenge on Aaron Ramsey was ‘deluded’ and ‘completely out of order’.
The Stoke City defender was sent off for his challenge on the precocious Welshman during Arsenal FC’s 3-1 win, and Wenger suggested after the match that his side was being targeted for over the top physical treatment sighting previous examples of Eduardo and Abu Diaby, yet Collymore believes the Premier League will never be turned into the non-contact sport that Wenger desires.
The much maligned former Liverpool star believes Shawcross’ challenge was a merely a result of his commitment and was a complete accident. Collymore claims the defender, recently promoted to the England squad, clearly never intentionally tried to injure the Arsenal youngster, and Wenger should consider working in Serie A or La Liga if he doesn’t have the stomach of the robust Premier League.
The former Aston Villa and Liverpool FC forward told Mirrorfootball.co.uk: “My thoughts are with Aaron Ramsey but Arsene Wenger's bitter reaction to his injury makes me question how suited Arsenal's boss is to English football.”
“I have my fingers crossed for him that he will come back stronger in future following the incident with Ryan Shawcross.”
“But if Wenger, or any Arsenal fans, think there is a connection between Abou Diaby, Eduardo and now Ramsey all getting seriously injured, they are deluded.”
“And I think Wenger was completely out of order with his post-match comments about Shawcross.”
“Despite the belief that Wenger is the professor, he has a real bitter and nasty streak.”
“It is blatantly obvious the Frenchman wants to buck the trend and traditions of English football.”
“But if he doesn’t like English working conditions, whereby players are physical and try to win the ball, then maybe he should disappear to La Liga or Serie A.”
Collymore suggests the defender’s reaction after the tackle clearly illustrated the player’s lack of intent.
He continued: “Shawcross was distraught after injuring Ramsey.”
“He made an honest attempt to win the ball, but sadly, getting seriously injured is occasionally part of football.”
“If Wenger wants to make football almost a non-contact that is up to him but it won’t happen in England.”
“These injuries simply can happen to anyone and are purely bad luck.”