Ramsey may Refuse to shake Ryan Shawcross's hand at The Brit on Sunday..

Aaron Ramsey may not shake hands with Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross when the two meet at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday - because they've barely spoken since the tackle that almost ended the Arsenal starlet's career last year.

Ramsey suffered a double compound fracture of his right leg when the two sides met in the same fixture last season, which kept the Welsh midfielder out of action for 11 months.

The 20-year-old has since returned to action, and played on loan at both Nottingham Forest and Cardiff earlier this season before making his first home start for the Gunners against Manchester United last Sunday.

With midfielders Abou Diaby, Cesc Fabregas, and Samir Nasri all ruled out Ramsey is expected to keep his place.

But having hardly spoken to Shawcross since last February, it is being suggested Ramsey may be tempted to snub his handshake before the game.

Stoke assistant manager Dave Kemp has attempted to play down the first face-to-face meeting with the pair, but he suggested he fully expects both players to be named in the starting XIs.

'Ryan will play, and I'm sure they will pick Aaron Ramsey,' said Kemp.

'But after that I wouldn't really want to comment. We have enough on our plate just playing Arsenal.'

'There's a bit of history between the two clubs, so it's going to be a big game in its own right anyway.'

Shawcross himself says he fully expects to get stick from the travelling fans during the game, but says he will take encouragement from it.

'I got booed and abused when I went there and it didn't really affect my game,' he said, referring to Stoke's 1-0 defeat in north London just over two months ago.

'If anything, it spurred me on to play better. I'm sure I'll get more of the same this time, but I'll deal with it.'

Last year, Shawcross admitted he made several efforts to apologise to Ramsey for the tackle, which saw him sent off, but he had no luck making contact until well after the incident - and even then it is thought to have been curt and brief.

'I left him messages and a text, but nothing was returned - but that’s up to Aaron,' Shawcross said.

'Will I see him? I might do in the future but it’s totally up to Aaron. I haven’t spoken to him.'

It wouldn't be the first time this season an Arsenal player has turned down the traditional pre-match mark of respect towards his opponent.

When the Gunners took on Spurs at the Emirates Stadium last year, midfielder Samir Nasri rejected William Gallas' hand during the line-ups because he was disappointed by his France team-mate's decision to quit the north Londoners for their bitter rivals.








Firstly why would the speak often, they are at different clubs...

Secondly, he and his manager showed their true worth by not accepting Shawcross's apology or his phone calls

Thirdly, if he wants to stir it up i'd advise him maybe The Brit isn't the best place to do it, especially as this is the match we look forward to more than any after the witch hunts from those soppy fuckers..


Fabregas (he's our favourite:17:) Nasri, Diaby and Clichy are all doubts..There'll be a couple more before Sunday i'd wager..

You'd think he would just want to forget all about it.

He needs to man up and move on. Was pretty clear to everyone that Shawcross went for the ball, just a horrible accident.

Wouldn't expect any less childishness from one of Wingers lot

The atmosphere will be white hot anyway mate, if he refuses the handshake the noise will be immense (its not exactly quiet the best of times).
Problem is, if he refuses, we'll obviously boo the little shit for 90 mins and the media will say we're thugs. And we're booing a lad who's come back from a horror injury..

Ah, fuck em..