Wenger bemoans protection given to referees

ARSENE Wenger claimed referees are protected “like lions in the zoo” as he bemoaned two offside decisions in Arsenal’s 2-1 loss at Manchester City.

The Gunners surrendered a lead for the second time in a week as second half goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling transformed a tight Premier League clash after Theo Walcott had struck early.

The Londoners’ loss came on the back of a similar reverse at Everton and, as at Goodison Park, Wenger found fault with the officials.

“We conceded two offside goals which is very difficult to accept in a game of that stature,” said Wenger. “But, as it is well known, the referees are protected very well like the lions in the zoo, so we have to live with those decisions.”

Replays suggested Sane may have been marginally offside as he cancelled out Walcott’s fifth-minute opener early in the second half while Wenger also thought David Silva interfered as Sterling struck his 71st-minute winner.

Asked to clarify his remarks concerning referee Martin Atkinson, Wenger said: “I want them to be very well protected, I want them to be safe, but if they could make the right decisions it would be even better.”

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, who was beaten at the near post for the second after Sterling cut inside following a sublime crossfield pass from Kevin De Bruyne, also took issue.

He said: “There were players in front of the goal so I didn’t see the shot and there were people running across. I don’t know if one of them was David Silva or not but, as I said, I didn’t see the ball because it was behind the players.”

The result left Arsenal in fourth, nine points behind leaders Chelsea.