Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has denied Czech Republic coach Vladimir Smicer's claims he wanted Tomas Rosicky to quit international football.

Smicer voiced his concern that Wenger might encourage Rosicky to focus on his club football but the Arsenal manager rejected that notion at his pre-match press conference.

"I never did that," he said. "One day if you have nothing to do, look at the number of players I brought into national teams. I faced the same question in France, I look in France at the number of players I got into the national team under me, it is quite amazing.

"I never tried to convince anybody not to go with his national team. But Tomas Rosicky is a bit like Abou Diaby, they have problems to face the demands of both competitions. As long as you do not get a long time with your club, it is difficult to do the two."