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Shawcross 'Deeply Upset' After Tackle Leaves Ramsey with Double Fracture
In a statement issued by the player Ryan Shawcross has said there was "absolutely no malice" in the challenge on Aaron Ramsey which led to the Arsenal player suffering a badly broken leg during their match at the Britannia Stadium.
Up till the time of writing the Gunners were still awaiting news on the condition of their player, who was transported to London for possible emergency surgery.
Manager Arsène Wenger was enraged by the tackle, which he described as "horrendous", but in a statement issued by Shawcross, the player is adamant there was no intent.
The statement read: "There was absolutely no malice in the challenge.
"I would never, ever go out to hurt a fellow professional.
"I am deeply upset that Aaron has suffered such a bad injury and my thoughts are with him.
"I would like to send him my best wishes too for a speedy recovery."
Stoke team-mates Danny Pugh and Rory Delap speaking on BBC Radio said Shawcross had not meant to hurt Ramsey.
"There was no malicious intent from Ryan, he's not that kind of player, he's a good lad and he's been unlucky that that's happened."
Delap said: "He's a committed player, but he's never going to go into a challenge looking to hurt someone."
He added: "Everyone knew straight away what had happened. The referee [Peter Walton] said it wasn't meant, but because of the injury he had to send Ryan off."
The injury had echoes of previous bad injuries suffered by players Eduardo and Abou Diaby in previous seasons.
Wenger said: "I didn't see many bad tackles in the game but this one was horrendous.
"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 today.
"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 tonight.”
By Terry Dennis
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On this day in 1988
1988 - Nigel Winterburn, Brian Marwood and Alan Smith scored in Arsenal's 3-2 first Division victory at Tottenham Hotspur.
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