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Wenger rages at ref after defeat

Comment: 0 January 3rd, 2012 by: admin

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger blatantly pointed to referee Lee Probert as a cause for his squad’s loss to Fulham Monday night.

Reports state that Wenger called Probert ‘naive’ for his decision to send Gunners defender Jogan Djourou off the field on the 78^th minute, helping Fulham eventual claim victory.

‘He got it all wrong and all on the same side,’ Wenger said.  ‘The ref influenced the game in completely the wrong way.’

The Frenchman went on, saying that Fulham players were attempting to convince the official to send Djourou off the field, and Probert fell for it.

Wenger also blamed Probert for failing to award Arsenal a penalty for a challenge on Gervinho by Philippe Senderos before the 15-minute mark.

‘It’s difficult to lose like that as I felt all the important decisions went against us,’ he said.  ‘The penalty not given on Gervinho and the second yellow card that was not one and we are down to 10 men.

‘It was 100 percent a penalty for the foul on Gervinho from Senderos in the first half.’

Arsenal’s 1-nil lead from a first-half goal was equalised by Fulham not 10 minutes after Djourou was sent off.  Afterwards Fulham sealed the match with a goal by Bobby Zamora in added time.

‘I saw the red card coming you know, as when Kerim Frei came on the game and was all about that – look for the second yellow card on Djourou.’

Wenger continued, stating that Fulham’s tactics included taking advantage of penalties and attempting to turn one yellow card into two.

‘The moment you get the first yellow they tried every time to get the second and the ref was naive enough to give it.’

There is speculation of a possible FA rap on Wenger for his blatant comments and accusations aimed at the official.

Arsenal’s loss robs them of a potential 3 points that could have seen them retain their 4^th place in the Premiere League.  They now stand at 5^th, with 1 point behind Chelsea.

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