Wenger retracts comments

Arsenal boss softens stance towards Taylor

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 23rd February 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger retracts comments

Wenger: Regrets remarks

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Arsene Wenger has withdrawn comments calling for Birmingham defender Martin Taylor to be banned for life.

Taylor was red carded in the 2-2 draw at St Andrews for a tackle on Eduardo da Silva that left the Arsenal striker with a broken leg.

Wenger was furious with Taylor after the match and said he could not be forgiven for such a challenge.

He claimed the 28-year-old intentionally set out to injure Eduardo and should not be allowed to play football again.

However, the Gunners boss has now softened his stance after having more time to consider the incident.

"It was a highly emotional afternoon and we were all shocked by the injury to Eduardo," said Wenger.

"On reflection, I feel that my comments about Martin Taylor were excessive. I said what I did immediately after the game in the heat of the moment."

An apologetic Martin Taylor has insisted there was no 'malicious intent' in the tackle.