Coleman blames Arsenal for Ramsey injury

Matt Stead

Chris Coleman says Aaron Ramsey’s injury could have been prevented and admits he was surprised to see the midfielder start the season.

Arsenal midfielder Ramsey will miss Wales’ World Cup qualifier against Moldova on September 5 after injuring his hamstring in the Gunners’ 4-3 defeat to Liverpool in their opening match of the season.

The 25-year-old started the game despite being among the Arsenal players expected to be rested following their Euro 2016 exertions.

“It’s disappointing he’s got an injury. Could it have been prevented? Possibly, yes,” Wales boss Coleman said.

“I think we all expected him to [miss the start of the season]. So I don’t know what happened between then and when he ended up on the pitch.

“Obviously only Arsenal can answer that. I think, to a man, if you were looking at [Arsenal’s team-sheet], it was a bit of a surprise he started.

“I think Aaron said himself [in France] that he wasn’t expecting to.”

Last season Coleman accused Wenger of a “cheap shot” after the Frenchman suggested another hamstring injury suffered by Ramsey was because he was overused by Wales.

Ramsey was part of the Wales squad which reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, but missed the last four clash due to suspension.

However, Coleman believes the former Cardiff player still warranted an extended rest.

“If you look at Rambo’s physical stats, they’re higher than anybody on the pitch in terms of his high-intensity sprints and the kilometres he covers,” he added.

“But he’s still a human being, and it’s not like we were knocked out in the group stage, it was a long tournament for Aaron, after a long, hard season.

“So I don’t know why he was treated differently.”