Even though he has only been in the France hot seat for a short amount of time, it would be fair to say that Didier Deschamps is slowly racking up a list of enemies. It looks as though Arsene Wenger has now been added to that list, with the Gunners boss being hit with several strong comments from national manager Deschamps.
It was only a few days ago that Wenger revealed his disappointment that Abou Diaby had been included in both of France’s games against Finland and Belarus, stating that it was something that had seriously compromised the midfielder’s fitness. Following his involvement in those encounters, Diaby was hit by a thigh injury that looks set to rule him out of action for three weeks.
It looks as though Deschamps hasn’t taken too kindly at all to such comments though. Speaking to the media, the former Chelsea midfielder said, “I want to remind him that I am the only one to decide who will be picked and how long those who are picked will play. There is only one to decide and it’s me.”
This isn’t the first time that Deschamps has fallen out with a domestic club manager, after criticising Tottenham and Andre Villas-Boas just several weeks ago. At that time, the 43-year-old hit out at the fact that his national goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was not being considered as the No.1 choice at White Hart Lane. Following his comments in relation to the Diaby matter, it now seems strange that he is laying down the law in relation to selection policy after his stance with Spurs.
Of course, this is something that Deschamps will have to get used to – from Wenger in particular. Wenger has been at the centre of many club versus country rows, with some of the latest sagas involving the likes of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and even Robin Van Persie prior to his departure.
