For some reason the Stoke City defender thinks its weird that Emirates boss doesn’t like him?

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Feb. 27, 2010 - Stoke, United Kingdom - epa02058073 Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross (R) tackles Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey (C) during the English Premiership league soccer match at the Britannia stadium in Stoke, Britain, 27 February 2010. Arsenal won 3-1.

Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross believes Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has a personal vendetta against him.

Wenger claimed that both Shawcross and his Stoke team-mate Robert Huth were acting more like rugby players than footballers during their match against Tottenham last month, and that they had repeatedly fouled Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

The Frenchman also accused Potters captain Shawcross of kicking Gomes in comments published on the Arsenal official website.

Wenger has been vocal in his criticism of Shawcross’ tackling before, namely when Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey broke his leg in a challenge with the centre-back last season.

And the 23-year-old told the Stoke Sentinel: “He’s obviously got something against me: It’s just weird.

“He seems to have a problem with Stoke, our manager and certain players. (Goal.com)

So did you get that? Ryan Shawcross doesn’t understand why Arsene Wenger doesn’t like him? Interesting that at no point does he reference the challenge he made on Aaron Ramsey that left the Welshman with a double fractured leg. Anyone who thinks that challenge was somehow an anomaly and in no way reflective of the Stoke centre back’s usual approach to the game would do well to seek out footage of tackles on Emmanuel Adebayor and Francis Jeffers.

For the 23 year old to say “it’s weird” that the Emirates boss would have an issue with the England hopeful is either a stunning case of short-sightedness or a clever way of avoiding the rather large elephant in the room, namely this challenge, see below.

It is also interesting to hear Arsenal fan Alan Davies’ view on the incident that highlights other issues relating to the challenge.

We could argue all day about people’s opinions of how Stoke City play or indeed whether people think that Ryan Shawcross is a thug, but for the defender to be in some way confused by Wenger’s hatred towards him is quite bizarre to say the least.

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