Arsene Wenger accuses Villa of intimidating ref at half time

Source The Sun...

ARSENE WENGER last night sensationally accused Martin O’Neill of intimidating referee Lee Mason as Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes were shattered.

Wenger claimed the Aston Villa boss deliberately put the official under pressure at half-time in the 2-2 draw before he gave the home side a penalty.


The Gunners boss raged: “I know how it works here. At half-time the ref gets stick, in the second half a 50-50 decision goes the other way.


"I waited at half-time to see what happened and I was not disappointed.


"There is nothing more to explain. I had no discussion with O’Neill. You should ask him about that. The dugouts are close together.”


The two bosses clashed on the Villa Park touchline after Villa were awarded their controversial second-half spot-kick and had to be separated by backroom staff.

Gareth Barry scored to put Villa back in the game.

Arsenal had swept into a two-goal lead through Denilson and Abou Diaby. Wenger’s misery was completed when Zat Knight levelled in injury-time.

The result left Arsenal 10 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Wenger added: “The penalty was the turning point. Now we have to keep our belief. We have the quality.”

Villa chief O’Neill confirmed his assistant John Robertson had spoken to the referee at half-time.

He said: “The referee did not give a foul against Gabriel Agbonlahor and was all of three yards away. I think John wanted to speak to him about that. Arsene Wenger has his own opinion


“It was much ado about nothing. We deserved a point totally.

“I thought we were brilliant in the first half but we were rocked by the opening goal. We were a goal behind and should have been four or five up.”


What do you think about Wengers claims that Villa "got to the ref during half time" and intimidated him?

Why did O'Neil's assistant John Robertson make an illegal approach to the official during the 15 minute break?

Did this change the course of the game and was this the reason why Aston Villa fought back to earn a 2-2 draw?

Or is the Arsenal manager just trying as usual to blame everybody for his teams failures except his own players!

If John Robertson did make an approach to the referee at half time then he and the club should be fined - it's clearly against the rules to do that and can lead to accusations of bias from the referee.

However, any such approach had no bearing on the game, as the penalty was clearly a penalty and there was nothing wrong with Villa's equaliser.

Ultimately, it's just more sour grapes from a very sour manager. His team bottled a 2-0 lead and there's no one else to blame, even if he's right about the approach to the referee.

That's why I hate this moaning [Edited] if things go wrong for Arsenal he always blames the referee, the other teams players, the other teams fans or the other teams manager.

Edit.....Please mind your language Gary Lineker.......Cheers Hams

I imagine things are different in German, but in the English language calling someone a paedophile as an insult is very weird.



I agree with all this.

Spot on Johaldo

But wasn't he accused for molestering childs ? If not why do all the opposite fans sing this songs about him being a paedophile ? I mean if they wanted to insult someone they could stick to the odd "You're a f*****g b*****d" instead of getting that personal. So there must be any truth behind the story and apart from that I think Wenger is someone who can't stand losing and take it as a real gentleman, so he always has to blame someone, I wonder why he never blamed the wetherman or the grass of the pitch, that would be at least something new and by way to variety to his usual it's the refs/fans/other teams players/managers fault fairytale.

No.



From what I understand they do it because he signs so many young players.



No there really isn't. That's a very serious allegation and not one I personally think you should go throwing around for nothing.

anyway, back to reality....

Wenger once again shows us what a self pitying deluded old fool he is. are we to believe none of wengers players have attempted to sway the thought of the match officials? they have never intimidated a referee? or even conned a referee?

he really does talk some crap.

the bloke is losing the plot and his sanity is at stake here.

he really should concentrate on why, once again, aston villa totally dominated his team and should have comfortably won the game. if that is too hard to stomach he should perhaps wonder why, yet again, his mob have managed to throw away a two goal lead.

the bloke is a complete and utter shambles. considering this bloke is supposed to be intelligent he must be one hell of an actor. he has to be the bigge3st spoilt, undignified, self pitying little weasel i have ever had the misfortune to listen to in my life.

once his contract is up he will be gone. arsenal need something new. this dog has had his day.

Johaldo8 has said all that needs to be said on this.

Steely is way over the top as usual.

Yes Villa had the first half and I believe Arsenal had the second. Easily. We too hit the post at 2-0 and also at no point were Villa winning the game? why should they have won?

Remember we had no Edurado, Walcott, Clichy, Fabregas, Adebayor, Rosicky.....

Take any keys players from Villa and I'll expect a easy game at home.

So i guess with your connections that you know for a fact that the accusations are NOT true?
You are taking garbage once again based on your dislike for Wenger himself, and you loose all credibility because of which.
I'll wait for what transpires before stating an opinion on this ,but because i have never seen evidence of Wenger lying before the chances that he has a legitimate argument is probably likely.

Don't stand for it Specnur.


Go on.....you tell him.

the accusation that a villa official went into the referees room is undoubtedly true. the accusation that the penalty was given because of this is laughable. he is like a little child who has had his toys taken from him.

ok if im talking nonsense let me ask you this.... was the penalty incorrectly given, in your opinion?

Interestingly enough though Steels, where do you believe Gallas made contact with Agbonlahor? I know he never touched the ball, that's a given but did Gallas make contact with the ugly mug? I'm not too sure he did?

I'm not certain but I've watched it a few times and can't see where Gallas makes contact... In fact it looks a dive to me a bit.

When does Arsenal Winger not complain about the ref or people intimidating the ref, it's getting boring. So Aston Villa got a penalty that i.m.o was a penalty. Watching the game i felt Villa should of won anyway he should thank the ref they ended on a draw. There were a couple of other incidents i felt could of been penalties for Villa.

Also why are arsenal fans oblivious to this utter rubbish that comes out of his mouth it's like they've been brainwashed, I'm suprised they've not got annoyed that they have no chance of winning the league and possibly won't make Champions league football. It's not the ref fault Arsenal can't hold onto a lead and bottle it the majority of the times this season drawing and losing against teams that shouldn't cause their apparently 'world class' players problems.

Wenger once again tries to focus the attention and blame away from his door.

Pokerkings, this is the type of thing I am talking about when i say Wenger and subsequently his players are bad losers.

Heaven forbid it had something to do with him or his amazing team. He always looks to put the blame elsewhere, it is pathetic.

His Arsenal team are so hard done by.

Do you really expect him to come out and slag his players off?


Wont happen.

well tis is why i will reserve judgement ,because right now i am in London on the way back to NY where i have the game recorded. I will watch the game on arrival and then give my opinion.

oh yeah! more custard tarts please.

No.

I also dont expect him to admit defeat or bow out of games with dignity either, so he is proving my right constantly.

Oh and all the others managers do bow out with dignity do they? Please.

Wenger is very passionate about his football and about Arsenal Football Club, he properly is a bad loser but it's because he cares so much for the club. I wouldn't have him any other way.

Enough already i'm tred of these people accusing Wenger of being a bad loser and not giving credit where it's due.
Put up or shut up. show me evidence of this please.