City will be hard to stop, says Wenger
LONDON: Arsene Wenger accepted leaders Manchester City would be “hard to stop” in their quest for the English Premier League title especially if they continued to get the rub of the green from referees.
The Gunners manager accused City forward Raheem Sterling of diving after he won a penalty in his team’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday.
Veteran French boss Wenger was furious with the performance of referee Michael Oliver who awarded the spot kick and a dubious goal, which the Arsenal manager claimed was offside.
“I believe it was no penalty,” said Wenger. “We know that Raheem Sterling dives well, he does that very well.
“And the third goal was offside. I am very upset because at 2-1 we were in the game. The third goal was the killer and it is by coincidence that mistakes always go for the home team, as we know.
“It is unfortunate that the game finished the way it finished. I am disappointed. You can accept if it City win in a normal way, they are a good side but this is unacceptable,” added Wenger after a match that left his side 12 points behind the table-toppers.
“Last season we lost two offside goals and it has happened again. City will be hard to stop.”
City have 10 wins and a draw from their opening 11 league games this season, prompting speculation they could emulate Wenger’s “Invincibles” Arsenal team that were through the whole of the 2003-04 campaign without losing a Premier League fixture.
“Look, can anyone stop them?” asked Wenger rhetorically. “It will be difficult this season with the way they have started, the way they are on a run, they quality they have.
“They will be difficult to stop but you never say never.
“If, on top of that, they have decisions like that at home, they will be unstoppable.” — AFP