Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger maintains Ashley Cole is "not a
dirty player" as the Chelsea defender prepares to face his old club
on Sunday.
England international Cole - who left Arsenal for Chelsea
during the summer of 2006 - has been quick to apologise for his
horror tackle on Tottenham defender Alan Hutton during Wednesday
night's Premier League game at White Hart Lane.
Cole has also been criticised for turning his back on referee
Mike Riley as he was shown the yellow card for the studs-up high
challenge.
Chelsea manager Avram Grant, however, insists Cole should be
applauded for his decision to make an apology, which also included
the match official.
Wenger brought Cole, 27, up through the youth ranks at Highbury
and the left-back was an integral part of the 'Invincibles'
championship-winning side of 2003/2004 as well as playing in the
Champions League final against Barcelona.
The Arsenal manager declared: "No, Ashley is not a dirty player,
but I am responsible only for my players.
"If you respect the referee, then you have to respect his
decision.
"On the tackle, at full speed it's very difficult to see what
Ashley Cole did - but I am not even sure if Ashley Cole wanted to
hit him where he did hit him.
"It can be a complete accident, but you can only see it on
replay."
Grant was quick to highlight Cole's apology being in stark
contrast to the response of Arsenal player Emmanuel Eboue following
his dangerous tackle on Chelsea captain John Terry in the game at
Emirates Stadium earlier in the season.
The England centre-half was left with a broken foot, which kept
him out for the best part of two months, yet never received an
apology from the Ivory Coast player.
However, Wenger noted: "It was not a terrible tackle. I regret
that [the injury to Terry], but it was an accident.
"Perhaps Eboue could have eased off earlier, but only he can
tell you what was in his mind."
Wenger insists he has "no suspicions before games", and so has
no qualms about playing Eboue on Sunday despite suggestions the
winger could be set for a hot reception.
"I will start with the side who has the best chance of winning
the game and bring people on who I think can help win us the game,"
said the Arsenal manager.
The Football Association earlier this week launched a new
RESPECT initiative aimed at improving the conduct towards match
officials, which is being piloted at the grassroots level.
New FA chairman Lord Triesman is set to push forward with the
concept, which he hopes will eventually be taken on board by the
professional game.
Wenger gave the scheme his backing, saying: "I endorse it.
However, it is always a very sensitive subject before a big game
and I do not want to put any extra pressure on the referee.
"I always hated that, to put pressure on the referees.
"Of course, we have to respect them. I tell you something, I
don't even know who is the referee on Sunday."
Wenger added: "The game is less aggressive than 20 years ago. It
is faster, but not as dirty as it was.
"I remember places where, in Europe, there was no television and
you went to some countries and 'good luck to you'.
"That does not exist any more. It is much better."
