Wenger explains Villa bust-up
Arsene Wenger believes Aston Villa's staff
harrassing the referee at the interval led to the second-half
penalty given against Arsenal - suggesting this led to his sideline
argument with Martin O'Neill.
The Gunners were fortunate to still be in the game at half time,
let alone 1-0 up through Denilson's strike, but after Abou Diaby
doubled their lead the Alsatian was furious when a penalty was
awarded for William Gallas' challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor.
After this, Wenger and O'Neill had to be separated on the
sideline and the referee came over to instigate a shake of hands
between the managers - one The Gunners boss seemed less than keen
to indulge in.
Arsenal's dismay was increased exponentially when Zat Knight
equalised in the final minute and Wenger was still fuming when he
spoke to the press after the game.
"I know how it works here," Wenger said. "At
half-time the referee gets stick and then in the second half every
little 50-50 decision goes the other way.
"That's what happened. It's not only here. I waited at half-time
to see what happened and I was not disappointed."
"I have nothing to explain more than that.
"I still believe that for the penalty the first foul was by
Agbonlahor on Gallas and the second foul was by Gallas."
O'Neill admitted that his assistant John Robertson spoke to
referee Lee Mason at half time about his decision not to give
obstruction for a foul on Agbonlahor before Denilson scored,
but denied any foul play.
"I couldn't give you any response to that," O'Neill said. "I
think the referee must have seen, at half-time, that the decision
he gave for Gabby Agbonlahor was not his best one. Gabby was fouled
I think, it was obstruction, and the referee must have been at
least three yards away.
"But I didn't tell him on that particular occasion. Arsene
Wenger has his own opinion about it and I believe we deserved at
least a point today if not all three. Our first-half performance
was incredibly exhilarating and a joy to watch.
"John Robertson, I think, spoke to the referee. I think John
asked him to explain the decision that Gabby didn't get, that was
all. Simple as that.
"He only asked him to explain the decision and the referee chose
not to give an answer."
