ARSENAL MANAGER ARSENE Wenger blamed Wojciech Szczesny’s first-leg red card for the Gunners’ Champions League last 16 exit and slammed Arjen Robben for provoking the red card as the Gunners bowed out at Bayern Munich.
Holders Bayern Munich booked their place in the Champions League’s quarter-finals, despite Arsenal earning a 1-1 draw in Bavaria in Tuesday’s last 16, second-leg clash.
A second-half Bastian Schweinsteiger goal gave Bayern a brief lead before Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski equalised with a thunderbolt of a shot as the tie finished 3-1 on aggregate.
Arsenal failed to overturn their 2-0 deficit from the first leg three weeks ago, which still riles Wenger.
The Gunners finished with ten men in London after Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli sent off Gunners goalkeeper Szczesny for conceding a spot-kick with a foul on Robben.
“Overall in the two games what made the difference was the decision to send our goalkeeper off,” said Wenger.
“I felt it was not a red card as simple as that.
Robben is very good at getting something out of nothing, he’s a good diver, but that’s part of his game.
“I have to congratulate the (Arsenal) players for their heart and effort.
“We wanted to come out of that tie qualified, but we came up short.
“Good luck to Bayern, but I think they are a bit more vulnerable than last season.”
Check out Robben’s dive from last night:
Robben angrily rebuked Wenger’s diving claims.
“I expect more of great managers, they don’t need to resort to claims like that,” said the Dutch winger.
I don’t want to have to defend myself against remarks like that.”
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, who failed to convert a crucial penalty in the first-leg, endured another miserable night in Munich.
The Germany attacking midfielder came off at half-time with hamstring trouble and made way for Tomas Rosicky.
“Ozil has a hamstring injury and it looks quite serious,” revealed Wenger.
“He will miss (Sunday’s) Tottenham game for sure, he needs a scan. He’s out for at least a few weeks.”
Wengers constant whinging is getting irritating. Yes robin is a selfish diving git, but even divers get mopped sometimes , wenger should pick his battles more carefully, his keeper was 100% wrong the first day he took out Robin and the ref had no choice. The facts are Arsenal were just outclassed, as was their manager..
Very true Gerry. Couldnt believe the criticism of the first red card/penalty.
At the same time, Wenger is gonna look for anything to take the attention off his team being comprehensively put away by the European champions. Robben just gave him some fodder.
Never heard him criticise Robert Pires any time over the years.
That sniper has a crack shot…..
Ah now Arse Whinger, didn’t Pires and Henry invent it! ;)
Its part of EVERY club, anyone who tries to claim otherwise are daft.
As above, blame his player as in the keeper. His team weren’t good enough, tried very hard and hats off to them for that, but you can’t make a purse out of a sows ear.
Arsene Wenger has had enough of them in his time at Arsenal to know a good cheat when he sees one.
Wenger is the sorest and most ungracious loser I have seen in any sport, EVER. It’s a huge flaw in his character along with the optional blindness that regularly afflicts him. Robben is a cheat, admittedly. I remember an incident 8 yrs ago where he got Pepe Reina sent off. All these yrs later and he’s still at it. Wenger should focus on the issues at his own club. The red card was justified in the 1st game and Arsenal are way below the quality of the CL elite.
100% John. Unsure why your comment is getting more thumbs down than up.
You’re a sore loser Wenger. It’s actually pathetic. Arsenal making no progress yet it’s everyone else’s fault.
Of you dont dive in todays modern game you are a mug because everyone else does!
Retrospective banning.
Put a stop to it.
Deeming the awarding of a match winning penalty a dive retrospectively will be a sickener for the losing team but if the ban length is set correctly it should eventually have an affect and discourage it.
I’m sure arsenal won’t mind losing to the eventual champions of Europe say ing what if it was 11 – 11 at the emirates. I hope some of you who get to meet bayern in the next round rattles them but I very much doubt it.
Ridiculous comments by Wenger. Robben is not a good diver, he is brilliant at it, there is an excellent pic on the net of a butterfly landing on him causing him to collapse in agony.
The only team worthy of greatness is coming ..its real Madrid :) they’ve won it the most 9 times. + there playing some fantastic football with the BBC trio :) hala Madrid