Wenger fury after Ramsey injury

Posted Sunday, February 28, 2010 by PA

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger vented his fury after his side's 3-1 victory at Stoke was overshadowed by a horrific injury to Aaron Ramsey.

The 19-year-old Wales midfielder was taken to hospital with a badly broken leg after a red-carded tackle from new England squad member Ryan Shawcross. The injury had echoes of previous bad injuries suffered by fellow Gunners players Eduardo and Abou Diaby in previous seasons.

"I didn't see many bad tackles in the game but this one was horrendous," said Wenger.

"To lose a player of that quality at 19 years of age when he is just starting his career is just horrendous. It is difficult to accept.

"It is the third player we have lost on tackles that are not acceptable - (Abou) Diaby, Eduardo and Ramsey here.

"I am just shocked because that is not football for me. It is not what I like in the game. If you have to live with that I refuse to do that.

"For a boy at 19 years old to be kicked out of a game like that, it is beyond words. I cannot even enjoy the win.

"The players are shocked, it is a bad fracture. He will be transferred to London (on Saturday night) to see if he needs emergency surgery but he will be out for a long time.''

Stoke boss Tony Pulis admitted Shawcross' challenge had to be punished with a red card but defended the character of his player.

When told about Wenger's remarks, Pulis said: "He can't comment on my players. He doesn't know what my players are made of or are about."