Arsene anger at Arshavin selection
442 Staff - Thursday 10 September 2009, 16:01
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has slammed Russia coach Guus Hiddink's decision to play Andriy Arshavin in Wednesday night's 2010 World Cup qualifier against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, in which the midfielder aggravated an injury.
The 28-year-old sustained a groin problem in the Gunners' 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, and subsequently sat out last weekend's international clash with Liechtenstein.
But despite Wenger warning former Chelsea boss Hiddink that the diminutive playmaker was not fit, the Dutchman selected him in the 3-1 win, with Arshavin aggravating the injury as a result.
The former Zenit St Petersburg star is now expected to miss Arsenal's next three matches against Manchester City, Standard Liege and Wigan Athletic.
And Wenger could not disguise his anger at the decision to play the already injured midfielder.
"We lost Arshavin, who played with Russia and should not have played. He's out for Saturday, for Wednesday and certainly as well for Wigan," he said.
"I took him out at Manchester United because of a groin problem. He did not play in Russia's first game [against Liechtenstein] but played last night.
"He should not have played and is injured. You can say a lot about it but it does not do a lot.
"All the players are not back yet, so we have to wait a bit to see what damage has been done by the international games."