Stoke City: Ryan Shawcross hits back at Arsene Wenger's 'rugby' jibes
RYAN Shawcross has told Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to get his facts right before accusing him of fouling opposition players, writes Martin Spinks.
Wenger claimed both the Stoke skipper Shawcross and his Stoke team-mate Robert Huth had repeatedly fouled Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes during last month’s Premier League game at the Britannia Stadium.
-
He said the defenders were acting more like rugby players than footballers and also specifically accused Stoke skipper Shawcross of kicking Gomes.
“It is more rugby on the goalkeepers than football,” Wenger had claimed. “When you see the way Shawcross kicked Gomes, how Huth pushed Gomes in the goal, you cannot say that is football anymore.”
Shawcross, who was also criticised by Wenger in February after the challenge which broke Aaron Ramsey’s leg, hit back by saying: “I don’t mind people having their opinions, but if it’s not a game involving his players then I don’t see the point of bringing up me and Huthy.
“I’ve watched the video again and at no point did I go anywhere near Gomes.
“I didn’t think I had, but I didn’t want to say I hadn’t touched him before looking at the whole video to make sure.”
Shawcross, whose tackling was first criticised by Wenger after Stoke beat Arsenal two years ago, said: “He’s obviously got something against me. It’s just weird. he brings my name into it.
“He always seems to have a problem with Stoke, our manager and certain players.
“Criticism doesn’t bother me, unless it’s a false accusation like this one.
“It’s just disappointing he came out and said something that wasn’t needed.
“He could have said there was a problem week-in, week-out in the Premier League, but he shouldn’t have named individuals.”
Stoke complained to the FA, the Premier League and Arsenal, the FA and the Premier League about Wenger.
Arsenal removed their comments from their official website, but the FA decided against taking action.
48 Comments
View all
by potterglen, Derbyshire
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 10:25AM
“Forgot to add example.
Arsenal v Bolton in January 2010. Gallas late tackle on Mark Davies, Arse not only continues with play but went on to score from said tackle - Davies was stretchered off.
Ref - Alan Wiley”
by potterglen, Derbyshire
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 10:13AM
“I am sick of pundits, Wenger and Arsenal supporters touting Arsenals pretty football. Most Premiership clubs can play 'football' if they're given the space to do so, the fact is, close them down and they just can't cope and the Blackburn v Arsenal game is a prime example. Stop bigging up Arsenal, they are no different from any other team.
How can anyone take seriously any word from Wenger who conveniently never sees his players committing dirty fouls.
Arsenal are only angels in the selective eyes of their manager.”
by Anon, Staffordshire
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:21AM
“I myself surport Manchester United, so I don't like the Gunners nether.”
by John,Burslem, Germany
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 7:18AM
“Trouble is with all these rich ( in debt ) clubs is that they`ve mostly got twinkle toed foreigners especially south american or spanish playing for them, that go down as soon as a blade of grass is longer than 1 cm.
On slow motion it can be seen on god knows how many times that a defenders foot is a good 6 inches underneath the attackers and he never touched him.
But the attacker normaly from aforesaid clubs rolls around as if someone has just hacked his leg off with a rusty spoon only to miraculously spring back to life when the penalty is given.
Now you`ve got foreign managers mixing it all the time especially when they lose.
Does TP say much except " I thought it was a bad challenge ", and that`s it he doesn`t go on and on all the time just trying to turn refs against certain clubs.
Injuries happen it`s the nature of the game at all levels but saying that ryan shawcross goes out to harm players is disgracefull, as TP says " the lad hasn`t got a bad bone in his body ".”
by David, Stoke
Monday, September 06 2010, 11:30PM
“i cant beleive some of the comments on this site from non Stoke fans. posting links from the news of the world? (yes they always report the truth dont they) and posting a link of shawcross doing a tackle? woop woop!! look at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx0DHVB2mNo and there are many more like it. True football fans dont mind a few rough tackles in the game, dont get me wrong i dont agree with intentionaly trying to end a players carrer butnhow may footballer go out with the intention of doing this?? no many. the whole hustle and bustle on the pitch is what football is all about, how boring would the game be witout incidents like this? they add some spice to the game. Finally Wenger has no place to comment on any other players whether he likes them or not, it show how unprofesional he really is, leave it to the pundits that their JOB!
Shawcorss is a genuine footballer who battles for everything anf its ashame more footballers arent like him putting some passion back into the beloved game”