Hindustan Times (Delhi)

Wenger fumes in Chelsea draw

PENALTY PROBLEMS Despite being charged by the FA, Wenger did not shy away from protesting Hazard’s spotkick

- Agence Francepres­se sportm@hindustant­imes.com

LONDON: Arsene Wenger launched a scathing attack on referee Anthony Taylor after Arsenal suffered fresh penalty pain in their dramatic 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Wednesday.

Wenger has been charged by the Football Associatio­n for his furious protests following a penalty given for handball by Arsenal’s Calum Chambers in Sunday’s draw at West Bromwich Albion.

But the Arsenal boss was in angry mood again following Taylor’s decision to award a second half spot-kick for Hector Bellerin’s foul on Eden Hazard.

Hazard scored the penalty to cancel out Jack Wilshere’s opener and, after Marcos Alonso put Chelsea in front, Arsenal needed a last-gasp Bellerin equaliser to escape with a point.

“It was a remarkable game. Once again we got a very bad decision against us,” Wenger said.

“We have to account in our preparatio­n for that’s what we have to face.

“You see good football. Unfortunat­ely you see as well bad decisions. It gets me frustrated and upset.you look at matters that influence the game. If it’s a penalty against us tonight it’s at least two for us.”

“It’s all opinions. But when your opinions go the same way, what is repeated is not coincidenc­e.”

Wenger also confirmed he would contest the FA charge, saying: “100 per cent. You can listen to every interview and I stick to everything I said without any problem. I am 35 years in football and I know what I said.”

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admitted he was frustrated the champions were forced to settle for a draw after creating so many chances. “I think it is a pity because when you have so many chances to score you must win the game,” he said.

“Instead we are talking about a draw against a good team, but in this game we deserved to win as we created a lot of chances.

“We must be disappoint­ed, we had a great chance to win, but we must accept the final result.”

 ?? GETTY IMAGES ?? Avram Grant.
GETTY IMAGES Avram Grant.

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