Ryan Shawcross accuses Arsène Wenger of holding personal vendetta

"He's obviously got something against me. It's just weird," said Shawcross. "He 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."

Shawcross added in The Sentinel: "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 video to make sure."

The Stoke manager Tony Pulis was also furious at Wenger's remarks and wrote to the Premier League and Football Association to complain. However, the FA decided against any punishment.

Wenger had said: "You cannot say it is football any more. It is more rugby on the goalkeepers than football. When you see the way Shawcross kicked Heurelho Gomes, how Robert Huth pushed Gomes in the goal, you cannot say that is football any more."

That prompted Pulis to respond: "The club is desperately disappointed with the comments which Wenger has come out with, especially the comments about Shawcross. We think they are out of order and you don't expect it from a person of Wenger's esteem. What he said about Ryan was very, very poor and the football club will take that matter up. The club will deal with it in the right and proper manner."