Arsenal FC: Teams visit Manchester City expecting bad refereeing decisions, Arsene Wenger tells talkSPORT
The referee decided Manchester City’s defeat of Arsenal according to Arsene Wenger, though the Gunne..
The referee decided Manchester City’s defeat of Arsenal according to Arsene Wenger, though the Gunners boss is not surprised any more.
He believes teams visit the Etihad Stadium these days expecting bad officiating, having also seen Arsenal lose to City last season courtesy of TWO offside goals.
On Sunday, Gabriel Jesus netted the questionable strike to restore the hosts’ two-goal lead when it appeared more likely Arsenal would grab an equaliser.
Kevin De Bruyne had earlier handed City the lead, before Sergio Aguero netted from the penalty spot to make it 2-0. Alexandre Lacazette halved the deficit, but Jesus' strike secure the hosts’ all three points.
Not only was Jesus’ goal debatable – as assister David Silva appeared to be in an offside position when he was played the ball – but Aguero’s penalty also came after a rather light, but admittedly clumsy, foul on Raheem Sterling by Nacho Monreal.
Wenger had praise for Arsenal’s opponents, but highlighted the impact the referee had at the Etihad.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “It was an intense game with quality on both sides. They were good on the counter attack, and every time we lost the ball they looked dangerous.
“But overall, I feel we were in the game. At 2-1 we were in the game and the referee made the difference today.
“It was two bad decisions, but we are used [to it] as when you come to Manchester City that’s what you get – an offside goal.
“Last year two, this year one – so we are improving.”
Speaking about the penalty decision, Wenger added: “He looked for the penalty. You can see he saw it coming. But that’s it, what can you do? I don’t agree with the referee.”
