Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle has dismissed claims Arsenal players are deliberately targeted by the opposition.

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross' leg-breaking challenge on young Gunners midfielder Aaron Ramsey at the weekend left Wenger fuming, having previously seen Eduardo and Abou Diaby suffer similar injuries.

But Coyle rejected suggestions Arsenal are specifically given over-the-top treatment by rivals.

"They are special players, no doubt about that, but there is no way in the world that anyone would go out to intentionally hurt or maim any player," he said.

"Ramsey is a terrific talent and is going to be a top player but there's no way that was intentional to hurt him."

Coyle said there was a crucial difference between being competitive and reckless.

"If you're not motivated to go out there and be aggressive to begin with, to earn the right to play, then you're going to be run over the top of and made to look foolish," he added.

"We all take pride in trying to make our players competitive, to go and earn the right, as we say in football, but there's no way you'd say 'Go and smash this and that'."