Arsene Wenger denies Paul Merson medical treatment claims
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has dismissed suggestions by former midfielder Paul Merson there was anything untoward in the club's medical treatment.
Merson, 43, claimed players were injected with a "yellowy product" and that Wenger himself had handed out "a dark tablet", which was super-strength caffeine.
Wenger said: "I cannot take that comment seriously.
"I don't know how many players have played here over 15 years, 200 maybe; some of them stayed for 10 years. Paul Merson stayed with me for four months, so I think it is better you ask people who have played for five, six, seven, eight, nine years here how we behave medically."
Wenger added: "I personally give them nothing. If they don't want to take anything, they take nothing.
"If you find one player who I asked to take something, bring him here in front of me. If we give them something, it is multivitamins, magnesium, calcium or vitamin C like everybody else.
"Every year we have at least 20 doping controls. In 15 years we have not had one positive control. You think, really, I try to dope?
"If you find one player who I asked to take an injection to play one game, no matter how big the game was, I would resign tomorrow morning.
"It is absolutely ridiculous to put any suspicion on the way we treat the players and respect the players' health."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments