Irate Wenger defends pitch-side tantrum
ARSENE Wenger has slammed the “farcical” penalty decision that cost Arsenal in their thrilling 2-2 draw against Chelsea and vowed to fight a Football Association charge in his latest furious attack on the authorities.
Wenger was seething after referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty for Hector Bellerin’s challenge on Eden Hazard in the second half of Wednesday’s heated London derby at the Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal manager said there was not enough evidence of a foul to justify Taylor’s decision and Hazard rubbed salt into the wound by converting the spot-kick to cancel out Jack Wilshere’s opener.
After Marcos Alonso put Chelsea in front with six minutes left, Bellerin enjoyed a sweet moment of redemption as he blasted Arsenal’s 90th-minute equaliser.
But Wenger’s anger was not soothed by that dramatic intervention and, recalling the controversial penalty awarded for a handball by Arsenal’s Calum Chambers in Sunday’s draw at West Brom, he launched another broadside at the officials.
“We got again a farcical decision on the penalty, but we knew that [could happen] before the game,” Wenger said.
“You could give 10 penalties like that a game. Since the start of the season it is what we have to take.
“I’m fed up with that. At the moment we have to face surprising decisions.
“Nothing will change and we have to deal with that.”
Wenger was hit with an FA charge for his conduct towards referee Mike Dean after the Chambers penalty incident.
But although he risked further censure with his latest outburst, the Frenchman, who could be given a touchline ban, insisted he had every intention of stating his case in front of the governing body.
“[I will contest the charge] 100%. You can listen to every interview and I stick to everything I said without any problem,” he said.
“I am 35 years in football and I know what I said.
“What I find terrible is we just saw a great game and we talk only about this and for me it would be nice if we think about football for a change.”
Once he had calmed down, Wenger reserved praise for Arsenal midfielder Wilshere, who scored his first league goal for the club since May 2015.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said Wenger should show more respect for the officials.
“For sure there is a lot of frustration from the coach after the game. Sometimes we don’t agree with them, but we must have great respect for the decision of the referee,” he said.
Conte also defended Alvaro Morata after the Chelsea striker missed a host of chances to continue his erratic first season in England following his move from Real Madrid.
With Chelsea 16 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City, Conte conceded the champions would not be able to retain the title.
“We must be realistic. It is very difficult to catch them. We fight for a place in the Champions League,” he said. – AFP