One of the big talking points of this weekend has of course been the tackle by Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross on Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, which left the young Gunner with a broken leg.
Having watched the incident a few times now, I would still argue that the tackle didn't necessarily merit a red card, never mind the vilification that Shawcross has received from the likes of Arsene Wenger after the event.
There is not doubt at all in my mind that Shawcross had no intent with the tackle. It was mistimed. Nothing more, nothing less.
If you look at stills of Ramsey just before the contact, his leg and ankle are already badly bent as he went for the ball. Any contact from a certain angle at that point would have been likely to have resulted in the same ending.
Yes, it's a shame for the young player. yes, it's a shame that Arsenal have to suffer that again. But it's nothing for Wenger to get on his high horse about.
Hopefully Shawcross won't be branded the villain of the piece and attract constant boos wherever he now plays.
It's unmerited and he was clearly upset by the incident. Sadly, I think both innocent parties will come off badly in this.
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