Arsene Wenger has hit out once again at the quality of refereeing in the Premier League, launching an attack on Martin Atkinson and his team of officials after Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
Claiming that both of City's goals benefitted from missed offside calls, Wenger compared referees to 'lions in the zoo' for the level of protection they are afforded, before passive-aggressively noting that it would be 'even better' if they make correct decisions.
Having already criticised Mark Clattenburg's decision-making in midweek,Wenger saidafter Sunday's game:It is well known, the referees are protected very well, what is right, like the lions in the zoo so we have to live with their decisions.
I want them (referees) to be very well protected. I want them to be safe. But if they could make the right decisions it would be even better.It is too long a subject, I do not want to make referees the subject of the press conference. I just feel it is right they are safe and protected but if they make good decisions then even better.�
The Frenchman admitted:We had a horrible week, absolutely horrible. What is worse, out of two good performances we get zero points and out of two leading positions, we lose two games. That of course is very disappointing.
Man City 2 Arsenal 1 | Our Title Hopes Are DEAD!!! (Troopz Rant): https://t.co/iNdpVdOA3r via @YouTube
Before we think about the nine points we have to come back to be realistic about why we have not kept a clean sheet. If you want to play at the top you have to keep clean sheets."
He also criticised goalkeeper Petr Cech's decision-making late in the game, running up to take a free kick on the brink of full time and tapping it short to Mesut Ozil rather than pumping the ball into the box - allowing Atkinson to blow for full time.
I was upset (with Cech) because I don't see with 20 seconds to go why you play a short free kick when you could get the ball in the box," he said. "The referee took advantage of stopping the game on the first short pass, but he would have let the ball be played in the box."
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