Friday, 5th October, 2012

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has responded to France coach Didier Deschamps’ comments on Abou Diaby as the club vs country row rumbles on.

Wenger had expressed his unhappiness at Deschamps including Diaby in the France squad that faced Belarus and Finland in 2014 World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.

relatedNewsStory The Arsenal manager explained that, with Diaby having been out injured for such a long period, he should be eased into action and Deschamps should not have selected him if he wanted to save the midfielder for France’s vital qualifier against Spain next month.


Deschamps recently hit back, reminding Wenger that it is he and not the Gunners boss who selects the France squad.

And Wenger has now responded to the former Marseille manager’s latest comments, insisting he is only trying to look out for the fitness of Diaby.

“I never said that I wanted to pick the team”, said Wenger, in comments relayed by French radio station RMC.


“I don’t understand why this comment was made.

“I think exactly the same for Diaby as I do for the others.

“What is important, first, is Diaby’s health.

“After that, it is the interests of Arsenal and the France team.”

Wenger and Deschamps will undoubtedly want to repair their relationship soon as a number of France internationals turn out for the Gunners.

However, Deschamps has made it clear that he is unwilling to be dictated to by the Arsenal boss when it comes to selecting his squad.

 

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