Wenger slams Smith after Diaby blow

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger slammed Sunderland defender Dan Smith after midfielder Abou Diaby’s season was ended by a serious ankle injury.

Wenger was angry at the full-back’s injury-time tackle on Diaby, which cost him a booking, in Arsenal’s 3-0 Premiership victory at the Stadium of Light.

The 19-year-old Frenchman was due to be taken to hospital on Wearside amid fears that his injury is serious.

“Diaby looks to have a very serious injury, and that is in my opinion a shame because it was a bad kick and an unnecessary one,” said Wenger.

“It hasn’t been diagnosed, the only thing we know is it’s a very serious ankle injury. We will take him to hospital tonight here.

“It’s a big blow to lose a player like that. It’s one thing to lose the player, but the other thing is I believe the spirit of the way he has been kicked – and (Cesc) Fabregas a few times – is just not acceptable.

“That’s the most difficult to take for me, and of course I feel very sorry for him because he has worked very hard to come back.

“When you play football and you play against people who do not try to play, it’s very difficult to take.

“An accident can happen and you will accept that, but the way this happened is not acceptable.

“On one side, I’m very happy with the players and the way they played, but on the other hand it’s sad because you can see players can damage their career just because some people are on the pitch and do not even try to play football.

“It’s part of respecting the game. If an accident happens because both go for the ball and play with the right spirit, it’s okay.

“But what happened there is just not acceptable. The only one who didn’t see it as a red card was the referee.”

However, Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball defended Smith, 19, who was sent off on his senior debut for the club in a Carling Cup tie against Cheltenham earlier this season.

“If they (Arsenal) feel that, that’s their prerogative,” he said.

“But Dan Smith is by no means a dirty player.

“He’s gone to win the ball and yes, unfortunately, he has caught the player. We all hope he’s okay and wish him a speedy recovery from whatever the injury is.

“But you have to understand the players tackling, and I think that’s a little bit unfair, to be honest with you.

“Mr Wenger can say what he likes. That’s his opinion.

“In my opinion, I felt Dan did go for the ball and the lad knocked it away and he accidentally caught him.

“Yes, it isn’t an injury you want to see happen to a player, but it wasn’t malicious. He went for the ball and the player passed it quicker than Dan could get there.”

Diaby’s injury overshadowed a game in which Thierry Henry inspired the Gunners to a comfortable victory to keep up the pressure on Tottenham for fourth place.

Danny Collins’ 28th-minute own goal set them on their way, and after Henry had played in Fabregas for a second on 40 minutes, the Frenchman curled home a free-kick three minutes later to seal the win.

Meanwhile, Wenger confirmed that England defender Ashley Cole, who was used as a second-half substitute and is building towards maximum fitness ahead of the World Cup, will start one of his side’s last two league games against Manchester City or Wigan.