Shawcross: 'Weird' Wenger has got it in for me

Ryan Shawcross has blasted Arsene Wenger for accusing him of kicking Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes.

The Stoke skipper was shocked to be named by the Arsenal boss in his stunning recent verbal assault on the Potters.

Wenger claimed Shawcross and team-mate Robert Huth had kicked Gomes in the Potters defeat last month - an accusation denied by the defender.

The accusations led Stoke boss Tony Pulis to complain to the FA and Premier League about Wenger’s comments.

But for Shawcross it was a case of "here we go again" as Wenger singled him out for stick.

The Arsenal boss was highly critical of Shawcross for his tackle on Ramsey that broke the Gunners midfielder’s leg in February. The young Welsh star is still fighting his way back to fitness and the ex-Manchester United trainee wonders if Wenger is unable to let the incident go.

He said: "He’s obviously got something against me. It’s just weird that 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.’’

Shawcross has slavishly watched the video of the Spurs game to ensure he is correct in answering Wenger’s claims.

And after going through it frame-by-frame he insists there is no case to answer - despite the Frenchman’s dig.

At the time Wenger said: "It is more rugby on the goalkeepers than football.

"When you see the way Shawcross kicked Gomes, how Huth pushed Gomes in the goal, you cannot say that is football anymore.’’

But Shawcross insists he never got close to the keeper, never mind making contact.

He added: "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.

"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.’’

Wenger’s comments left Stoke fuming with Pulis complaining to the FA, the Premier League and Arsenal.

And whilst the Gunners took their boss’ words off the website, the FA have refused to take action.