Arsene Wenger could face FA sanction after referee rant following Arsenal loss to City
Arsene Wenger has risked a sanction from the Football Association after saying referees ‘don’t work hard enough’ following Arsenal’s defeat to Man City. The Gunners were beaten 3-1 at the Etihad and Wenger was furious with the officials over two of the goals his team conceded.
Man City’s second goal was a penalty, which was given when Nacho Monreal was judged by Michael Oliver to have forced Raheem Sterling over. The third should have been given as offside, with David Silva beyond the last defender before he laid the ball to Gabriel Jesus to score.
‘I felt it was an intense game of quality on both sides,’ Wenger told Sky Sports. ‘Obviously Man City is on the high but I felt that we had plenty of dangerous positions and chances and I would say overall once again the referee made the decisions today with a soft penalty and offside goal.’
Wenger went on to hint at a conspiracy, with decisions in the same fixture last season upsetting the Frenchman.
‘But we are used to it when we come here. Last year we had two offside goals against us [in a 2-1 defeat] and once again. ‘I feel they [referees] don’t work enough, the referees don’t work enough because their level drops every season at the moment. Overall it’s unacceptable what happens.’
Asked if he meant their ‘physical level’ drops, Wenger said: ‘The physical level is good. The decision. The third goal at 2-1 we are in the game and he gives a clear offside goal and that kills the game for us and after that last year we conceded two offside goals as well. ‘Of course they [Man City] are a top team but with that on top it makes it even more difficult for you.’
The FA have strict rules about managers questioning the integrity of officials and may deem Wenger to have fallen short of those standards.
