Bert van Marwijk and Dick Advocaat attack 'moaning' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

The coaches of the Dutch and Russian national sides have laid into Arsene Wenger after he called for Arsenal's Robin Van Persie and Andrei Arshavin to be left out of upcoming international fixtures.

Arsene Wenger is renowned for his philosophical musings
Arsene Wenger is renowned for his philosophical musings Credit: Photo: AFP

Wenger had said that it would be "a scandal" if Van Persie were to be called up to international duty. The injury-prone striker has not played since injuring his ankle in August, but has recently resumed training. He missed most of last season after sustaining an ankle injury in Holland's friendly against Italy last November.

Despite Wenger's concerns, Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk included Van Persie in his 24-man squad for Holland's friendly against Turkey on Nov 17. He publicly rejected Wenger's concerns, saying "they don't mean anything."

"I’ve spoken to Robin personally and he is doing well. He will rejoin training there so I had no hesitation picking him," he said.

Van Marjwick dismissed the idea that he was obliged to consult Wenger before making his decision.

"Has there been any contact with the medical staff of Holland and Arsenal? I don’t know," he said. "I don’t care, because I spoke to Robin personally and I just made the selection and will wait for any comments to come."

Russia's manager Dick Advocaat also had strong words for Wenger. Asked whether he was concerned about Wenger's reaction to his decision to pick Arshavin for Russia's upcoming friendly against Belgium, he said: "He is always moaning about something."

Advocaat bluntly suggested that the demands of national coaches will inevitably clash with the wishes of club sides.

"Mr Wenger wants to become the champion of England; I want my team to qualify from the Euro 2012 group," he said. "We need to respect the interests of each other."