Ruud van Nistelrooy's apology to Ashley Cole does not look like ending his feud with Arsenal after Arsene Wenger launched another bitter attack on the Dutchman.

Van Nistelrooy began the first suspension of his Manchester United career last night after pleading guilty to the charge of serious foul play levelled against him by the Football Association following his crude tackle on Cole during United's 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

Under the FA's new fast-track disciplinary process, the striker will also miss Saturday's trip to Portsmouth and the November 7 Manchester derby as a result of the challenge.

Van Nistelrooy maintains the incident was not premeditated but TV replays looked bad, prompting the apology to Cole which accompanied a vehement defence of his disciplinary record.

''There was no deliberate intent to harm Ashley Cole and I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to him,'' said Van Nistelrooy.

''Throughout my ten-year career I believe my disciplinary record is very good, not only for Manchester United but at all my clubs.

''I accept the charge made by the FA and I take full responsibility for this incident.''

Van Nistelrooy's stance is unlikely to win him too much sympathy at Highbury and Wenger's latest comments will not do much to ease the on-going tension between England's biggest clubs.

The striker was already public enemy No 1 among the Gunners for his role in getting Patrick Vieira dismissed on Arsenal's previous Premiership visit to Old Trafford 13 months ago.

On that occasion, the 28-year-old was mobbed by angry visiting players after missing a last-gasp penalty.

This time van Nistelrooy did not miss after he was offered a chance to redeem himself for his previous spot-kick blunder.

Wenger was seething at the former PSV Eindhoven man's challenge, labelling him a cheat, a statement that could yet land the Frenchman in trouble with the FA.

It is the latest in a series of misguided challenges by van Nistelrooy, who escaped without censure last week after catching Sparta Prague defender Pavel Pergl in the face with a stray elbow.

The prolific forward is clearly earning himself a bad reputation and Wenger is not in the mood to offer forgiveness.

''Van Nistelrooy is a big enough player just to come and play football,'' said the Arsenal chief.

''I have no preconceived ideas about him but what is he doing carrying out such silly things?

''If you look at the video again it wasn't just the challenge on Ashley Cole, he also steps on Jens Lehmann in the second half and it's clearly on purpose.

''He does it like he is always innocent. Who is he trying to impress by doing that?

''Why can't he just play football and forget all the rest?''

* Wenger is confident Robin van Persie is the man to lead his young Gunners in their Carling Cup clash at Manchester City tonight.

With many of his first-team regulars ''on the fringe'' of injury lay-off, the Arsenal manager will field a youthful XI against Kevin Keegan's side.

The highly-rated 21-year-old came to Highbury from Feyenoord during the summer and can play either out wide on the left or as a central striker.

Van Persie has made just a handful of substitute appearances so far, but is set to be handed his first start at Eastlands.

''He is a big talent in the role Dennis Bergkamp plays for us,'' said the Arsenal boss.

''He can create, he can score and I am confident he will have a good game.''

Young Swiss defender Philippe Senderos is also set to take his place in the starting XI for the first time.

''It has been a long road of patience for him,'' reflected the Arsenal boss.

''He has been injured for a year and will partner Pascal Cygan in central defence and it will be a big test for him as well.''

Wenger feels with so many of his big-name stars carrying knocks, it was not worth the risk to field them again tonight.

''Those who played on Sunday are on the fringe of injury and many of them just at the limit of being able to play,'' he said.

''Sol Campbell and Thierry Henry have Achilles problems and Ashley Cole is a doubt even for Saturday because of his knee. Patrick Vieira has a slight recurrence of his ankle.

''So at the moment I cannot risk any players because we have so many who are just on the fringe of being injured.''

The Arsenal manager maintained his young squad would not be fazed by a return to Manchester following Sunday's controversial Barclays Premiership defeat at Old Trafford.

''We just want to go out and play football as well as we can no matter who we play,'' insisted Wenger.

''If co-incidentally we played at Manchester United in the league cup, we would go there with exactly the same spirit.''