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Wenger says refs like lions in zoo
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ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger suggested referees were over-protected after complaining “two offside goals” had accounted for his team in Sunday’s 1-2 Premier League defeat at Manchester City.
Theo Walcott gave Arsenal a fifth-minute lead, but Leroy Sane equalized early in the second half, getting the benefit of the doubt in a tight offside call to run in and score from David Silva’s pass.
Raheem Sterling struck a 71st-minute winner, but Wenger felt Silva’s attempt to play the ball in front of goalkeeper Petr Cech should have seen the goal ruled out.
“We conceded two offside goals, which is very difficult to accept in a game of that stature,” Wenger said. “As it is well known, the referees are protected very well, that is right, like the lions in the zoo.
“So we have to live with those decisions. I want them to be safe. If they could make the right decision, it would be even better.”
Arsenal’s defeat was the second game in succession it had gone ahead, only to lose 1-2, having fallen to defeat in similar circumstances at Everton on Tuesday. On that occasion, Wenger protested that Ashley Williams’s headed 86th-minute winner had stemmed from an erroneously awarded corner.
The result saw City leapfrog Arsenal into second place, leaving it seven points adrift of leader Chelsea.
City manager Pep Guardiola said his side will be ready to pounce if Chelsea falters. The Blues have streaked clear at the summit thanks to a storming run of 11 consecutive victories.
“Seven points is a huge distance and when a team can make 11 victories in a row, you just can say congratulations.
“But at least to be there as much possible, and waiting if the opponent fails sometimes, and waiting until the last part of the season to be there, to fight for the title.”
Elsewhere on Sunday, Tottenham battled back to defeat Burnley 2-1 at White Hart Lane.
Also, Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez bagged a brace to inspire his side’s 3-1 win against local rival Bournemouth. Southampton’s second win in its last nine away league matches lifted it into seventh place.
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