Arsene Wenger: 'I didn't blame Chris Coleman for Aaron Ramsey injury'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 06 November 2015

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that he did not blame Wales boss Chris Coleman for the recent injury picked up by midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that he "did not blame anybody" for the hamstring injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey last month.

After Ramsey broke down during Arsenal's win over Bayern Munich, Wenger revealed that he had been unhappy that the midfielder had played for Wales in their Euro 2016 qualifier, despite his nation having already qualified for the finals in France next year.

Yesterday, Wales boss Chris Coleman claimed that Wenger's comments had been a "cheap shot" and that he had received no communication from Arsenal regarding the possibility of resting Ramsey for the fixture.

However, on Friday, Wenger attempted to play down the argument, insisting that his previous comments had been intended to point out that it may have been "common sense" not to play Ramsey with little riding on the match.

The Frenchman told reporters: "I didn't blame anybody. I just said it would have made common sense not to use Bale or Ramsey once they [Wales] were qualified."

"I said in that press conference I cannot call all the managers. I didn't blame him especially. I just think we analyse the reasons why our players get injured and you always think in a period like that the player, if they can have one game less, it's not too bad.

"I don't believe there's anything spectacular with a desire to blame anybody."

Ramsey is still recovering from the injury and will miss Wales's clash with Netherlands next week.