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Arsene Wenger plays down Chris Coleman Wales injury row

Aaron Ramsey has been the subject of a row over his injury between Arsene Wenger and Chris Coleman
Image: Aaron Ramsey has been the subject of a row over his injury between Arsene Wenger and Chris Coleman

Arsene Wenger has played down the disagreement with Wales boss Chris Coleman over Aaron Ramsey's injury.

The Arsenal manager was accused of a "cheap shot" by Coleman earlier this week after he said Ramsey should have been rested for Wales' final European Qualifier against Andorra.

Wales had already qualified and Ramsey subsequently picked up a hamstring problem that has ruled him out of the last four games.

Coleman suggested Wenger should have called him to discuss the situation but, whilst insisting he did not mean to blame Coleman personally, he cannot call every international manager about his players.

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Wales boss Chris Coleman slammed Arsene Wenger's comments as 'a cheap shot'

"I didn't blame anybody, I just said it would have made common sense not to use [Gareth] Bale and Ramsey after they've already qualified," Wenger said.

"They could have just brought them on at the end to greet the fans. It would have helped the clubs.

"I cannot call all the managers. He has done what he has done. I haven't blamed him especially. It's just an opinion. I don't believe there is anything spectacular with a desire to blame anybody.

"But we analyse why our players get injured and, in a period like that, if a player can be rested it can be good."

Ramsey has not been selected for the Wales squad to face Netherlands in a friendly in Cardiff next week but he could return for Arsenal after the international break.

Coleman said: "If Wenger had a problem with me or my selection, call me up and I'll gladly drive to Arsenal's training ground.

"Our job as managers is hard enough without us having a chip at each other, especially a cheap shot which is exactly what his comments were."

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