Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger maintains Ashley Cole is "not a dirty player" as the Chelsea defender prepares to face his old club on Sunday.England international Cole - who left Arsenal for Chelsea during the summer of 2006 - has been quick to apologise for his horror tackle on Tottenham defender Alan Hutton during Wednesday night's Premier League game at White Hart Lane.
Cole has also been criticised for turning his back on referee Mike Riley as he was shown the yellow card for the studs-up high challenge.
Chelsea manager Avram Grant, however, insists Cole should be applauded for his decision to make an apology, which also included the match official.
Wenger brought Cole, 27, up through the youth ranks at Highbury and the left-back was an integral part of the 'Invincibles' championship-winning side of 2003/2004 as well as playing in the Champions League final against Barcelona.
The Arsenal manager declared: "No, Ashley is not a dirty player, but I am responsible only for my players.
"If you respect the referee, then you have to respect his decision.
"On the tackle, at full speed it's very difficult to see what Ashley Cole did - but I am not even sure if Ashley Cole wanted to hit him where he did hit him.
"It can be a complete accident, but you can only see it on replay."
Grant was quick to highlight Cole's apology being in stark contrast to the response of Arsenal player Emmanuel Eboue following his dangerous tackle on Chelsea captain John Terry in the game at Emirates Stadium earlier in the season.
The England centre-half was left with a broken foot, which kept him out for the best part of two months, yet never received an apology from the Ivory Coast player.
However, Wenger noted: "It was not a terrible tackle. I regret that [the injury to Terry], but it was an accident.
"Perhaps Eboue could have eased off earlier, but only he can tell you what was in his mind."
Wenger insists he has "no suspicions before games", and so has no qualms about playing Eboue on Sunday despite suggestions the winger could be set for a hot reception.
"I will start with the side who has the best chance of winning the game and bring people on who I think can help win us the game," said the Arsenal manager.
The Football Association earlier this week launched a new RESPECT initiative aimed at improving the conduct towards match officials, which is being piloted at the grassroots level.
New FA chairman Lord Triesman is set to push forward with the concept, which he hopes will eventually be taken on board by the professional game.
Wenger gave the scheme his backing, saying: "I endorse it. However, it is always a very sensitive subject before a big game and I do not want to put any extra pressure on the referee.
"I always hated that, to put pressure on the referees.
"Of course, we have to respect them. I tell you something, I don't even know who is the referee on Sunday."
Wenger added: "The game is less aggressive than 20 years ago. It is faster, but not as dirty as it was.
"I remember places where, in Europe, there was no television and you went to some countries and 'good luck to you'.
"That does not exist any more. It is much better."
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