Wenger shaken by European injustice

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
09 Apr	7:45 PM	CL	Liverpool (A)	2	4	Lost

Manager Arsène Wenger says that Arsenal's European exit has been hard to take.

The Gunners lost 4-2 to Liverpool at Anfield, despite taking the lead and then equalising in the 83rd minute at 2-2.

But the contentious point of the match was the penalty awarded to Liverpool, especially when Arsenal themselves had an obvious one turned down during the first leg at the Emirates.

Wenger said: "I felt at that stage the game was over at 2-2. Then there was a dodgy penalty and we started to lose concentration.

"Over the two games this is hard to swallow. The big decisions over penalties in both matches have gone against us.

"It is difficult to take, the players in the dressing-room are very down because they believe week after week the decisions are going against them.

"It was not a penalty tonight, I have seen the replay.

"But we were denied a clear penalty last week. That was a real penalty, this one wasn't.

"And even at 2-2 we had a great chance to kill the game off. But we lacked experience and made big mistakes.

"We conceded a goal from a corner and gave Fernando Torres too much room when he scored.

"It will be hard now, we have to go to Manchester United next at the weekend, but we will try to finish strongly. But we still feel a great sense of injustice."

User Comments

hh

Posted on 11 Apr, 2008 at 11:00 AM - Reply

Man U or Liverpool, fact is no London team can win this competition.

Nikhil

Posted on 11 Apr, 2008 at 07:15 AM - Reply

We must buy a player who can score goals like Huntelaar. The Dutch has so many players who are good. Boro bought Afonso Alvesc and in his second premier league game he scored two goals and that too against Man U. His finishing was first-class and no one in our club can finish like that except for Cesc but Cesc is center midfield and not forward. Alves really good so buy Huntelaar.

zabulon

Posted on 11 Apr, 2008 at 07:06 AM - Reply

I said it last time that it's always like that with Arsenal injustice, when we played with Barcelona it was the same Jens was redcarded in the 18 minutes at the start of the game with a team like Barcelona which most offensively. If you look in the record Arsenal is the first team to be redcarded in the final of a champions league. The same this years we beat the finalist and the gave us the prefinalist while Machester got the same team he beats last years to make things clear we got a penalty in the first leg we were not rewarded in this second leg liverpool was given a penalty it's very discouraging when you are fighting back and the other team is given a penalty. I was also against the peaple who are making those draws, they didn't kwow that Arsenal is going to meet Liverpool three time?

Nikhil

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 05:59 PM - Reply

Wenger has made me cry for about 8hrs. 4hrs after I heard the result and the other next afternoon. I'm just losing confidence and now supporting Chelsea coz even if their way of play is boring they keep their fans happy. Whats the use of watching this match when you lose it?

Nikhil

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 03:08 PM - Reply

We were too happy in the last 7 min. thinking Ade has lead us to the Semis. THis shows that just 5 min. of no concentration can make you lose and with Man U coming up be careful coz if we do not win then the title is over. Title has to be given to Chelsea. Buy Ronaldinho and we can win next season but we have to wait for another season.

Nikhil

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 03:05 PM - Reply

Diaby and Eboue should go to Watford. Theya re not great. Diaby's goal had to be a goal coz Hleb put effort and it hit the keeper then went inside instead of directly going inside.

Nikhil

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 03:03 PM - Reply

Robin is right. Refs should use gadgets through which replays can be seen just like in cricket. One bad decision can break the heart of million fans.

Humphrey TZ

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 02:21 PM - Reply

I just dont understand what does FA, UEFA & FIFA does??They see clerly Arsenal victimization and they keep quite. We see many stupid decisions in the Baclays that ruin Arsenalbut non-comment.
We know you are agaist Wenrer's youth foreign transfer policy, but donot hit him by that because its we the funs who suffers most.

ABDUL

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 01:23 PM - Reply

Stop the blame game why can't u take ur chances which u get sell these crapy player like gallas,van perssy,eboue and lazy Adebayor who even can't score on empty net

N5

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 12:41 PM - Reply

Like everybody elses on this site i'm also gutted what happended on Tuesday. However, what I really do dislike is people slagging of players.

As dissapointing as things got on Tuesday night, i personally have nothing but total respect for Adebayor, Bendtner, Helb, Flamini, Diaby, Senderos,Eboue, K. Toure, Almunia and of cause A Wenger. The effort that those players, our squad have put in this season to try and win something this seasaon has been nothing short of a miracle. Yes people are right to perhaps moan about Wenger not buying players last summer and during the January transfer window, but please remember were are a club, currently saddled with alot of debt. I love Aresenal FC and do not know what i would do if the club i loved ended up like Leeds UTD.

Under wenger I reckon we will have a steady stream of sucess built on a promising youth development programme and a sencible budget and if you doubt that then look at what the man's done since he's come to our club.

I think it is envitable there will be additions to our current squad after this season, but as i said before we shouldn't slagging of players or A.Wenger, they couldn't have done more.

Jim Lamb

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 12:06 PM - Reply

Our season was not lost on a penalty decision at Liverpool.It was lost because of a lack of investment in a thin and inexperienced squad.Its said our CL exit potentially cost us 30m-but had AW invested that figure in the likes of Anelka and Woodgate when they were available, we wouldnt be so torn apart now.We all knew a central defender was needed and a striker too.Weve put too much pressure on the likes of Fabregas,Flamini and Adebayor and our weakness has been clear to see.If we're going to be any better than the poor relations of the top four next season, we have to invest in the squad in the same way as Chelsea and United-or wheres the point in having a state of the art stadium, a world class manager and a sprinkling of the worlds future talent? Lets leave a few traditions behind now weve left Avenall Road-wage stuctures,big transfer fees,old fashioned policies.If we are gonna be a real force and win silverware we must invest in experience AS WELL AS youth.Its great to see the beautiful game but its worthless without the silverware that tells these youngsters that they are with a world class club with a winning mentality

BP

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 09:49 AM - Reply

Wenger should have strengthened the squad in January, simple. We have enough quality but lack depth, maturity and the killer instinct. Eboue has not been playing well, Adebayor fluffs wonderfully constructed opportunities and without Rosicky and a recovering Van Persie times are tough indeed. I hope Walcott is used a lot earlier against united - he single-handedly tore Liverpool to shreds to create our second... C'mon guys don't be so negative, everyone wrote us off at the beginning of the season and we've comfortably put notion to the sword, secondly Milan will never forget the day they were completely outplayed - virtually running around in circles chasing the ball with only 25% possession at one stage, if we can sustain that level of play going fwd - the Gunners are unbeatable, untouchable. Traffers will be tough, but I believe he desire to succeed is greater now than its ever been throughout the season, we must and we will - show United up and take three points. Gunner.

kaykay

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 03:07 AM - Reply

refs should pointed out for making errors in a game.

Aussie Fan

Posted on 10 Apr, 2008 at 12:29 AM - Reply

Hard to swallow? If we got the Penalty, and converted another 50 of the 100 Chances we had over the 2 Legs we wouldn't be worrying about that Penalty!! We once again played positive and as if Liverpool were going to come out and play against us!! Hard Lesson Learnt, RVP AND Eduardo need a back up!! Ade was not the Answer he needs a Partner in crime not a Hleb who the world over knows is a creator not a shooter!~! Ade done a commendable job!!

taiwo

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 10:45 PM - Reply

arsenal are the team that the officials treated bad most.I still strongly beleive that no matter the treatment given to us we are going to finish at the top of the table at the end of the season

ganni

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 10:28 PM - Reply

i feel very disappointed for the cup exit and i would like to blame a lot on the referees especially regarding our recent results because i can say that we will be trophyless this season too mainly because of bad refereeing in both domestic and european and also because that we have no strong bench like other teams and this is because of mr Wenger Mainly .......sorry for that but this is true

Peter P

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 09:43 PM - Reply

I think Wenger has only himself to blame at the end of the day. His a great manager and we are forever indebted to him but he made a wrong judgement call and did not strengthen the side in January when he had to. Look at the size of Man.Utd , Chelsea and Liverpools squads in fact even the Spuds have a bigger squaad than us. In addition players like Van Persie and Rosicky are to injury prone and far to expensive to have in the change rooms two thirds of the year. So frankly they would be out if it were me. Then there is Wenger's love for centre backs who bluntly are useless remember Stepanovs then Cygan and now Senderos. Senderos cost us the game yesterday as he is a poor marker and far to slow on the turn. Lots of heart does not make up for lack of ability. Then there is Gilberto who despite being a model professional has past his sell by date. Bendtner looks like a good player but not top premier club status. Which leaves us with Adebayor, Walcott, Hleb, Flamini (when and if he signs), Fabregas (unless he goes back to Spain), Sagna and Glichy the rest are just average players. Frankly if wenger does not buy and buy well arsenal could really struggle next season. Finally our record against the big 3 this year is poor. Winning is a habit unfortunately this team is acquiring the habit of the team that played wonderful football but won nothing. Bring back the boring boring Arsenal days at least we still won tropies then. Wenger please wake up or else move on. Depresses Fan

Tish Swaziland

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 07:20 PM - Reply

Its hard for everyone to accept man! I'm stuggling to keep the tears from pouring out! I can't comfort you but i hope we can finish strong. Its unfortunate though because we are the best team in Europe i believe but we're the unluckiest what with the rando injuries and the referees being wrong, its not fair. However, we have to put this all behind us and focus on what is at hand! Dwell not on the past but look to the future, a game at a time thats all we really need to do! A game at a time! I believe in arsenal and if it even makes a difference to say this i haven't lost hope!!

Robim

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 06:49 PM - Reply

Here are some reasons why the result was an absolute joke:

1. Liverpool's first goal was against the run of play and one of their first shots.

2. Torres' goal came from a freekick given for offside. However replays show that adebayor was clearly onside, and he probably would have scored if the flag hadnt gone up, which would have made it 2-1.

3. The penalty. How on earth was that ever a penalty, Babel was clearly looking for it, it was a dive.

4. The penalty that SHOULD have been given in the first leg for the foul on hleb. I cant believe that it wasnt given when you look at the one that was given yesterday.

5. The fact that we dominated the first leg, and wouldve won if we had have got the penalty or bendtner hadnt cleared off the line.

Jean Louis - Panama

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 05:45 PM - Reply

We lost because of the referees, scores would have been 2-1 and 3-2 or 2 - 2 and we would have passed, and because of our lack of experience. Thats all there is to say. Gooner for life. Manchester, bring em on we will kick their asses.

kaykay

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 04:48 PM - Reply

i just think some refs need to lose their jobs, i wonder what they do on the field. Arsenal have been shown so many injustice for example against barcelona in the final, so it is not a suprise though but i am pretty vexed.

Tarfa SM Nigeria

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 04:21 PM - Reply

Honestly,our lads are fatigued.We now have to struggle to get a result even against teams that at the beginning of the season would have considered a. 0-2 loss to AFC a decent result at the beginning of the season. Lack of options on the bench meant that our players had little room to recover before being thrown into the next match.AW should swallow his pride and sign experience players in the summer rather than bringing in precociously talented players from Outer Mongolia. For clarity's sake I am a firm believer in the youth system.Make no mistake about that.

Baz the Gooner

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 03:46 PM - Reply

We are still in the Premiership race - the team MUST remember this. AW, Put out the 1st 11 from the kickoff -give TW a full game at pace and send support forward IN NUMBERS to threaten the opposition's 6yd box. Special plea - fewer pretty passes, more direct attacks, SVP!!

Scott

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 03:30 PM - Reply

I am sick . . . Why didn't Wenger start Eboue at right back and Toure at CB with Walcott on the wing? That would have been our best defense and our best offense with Walcott on the wing instead of Eboue. I HOPE Wenger buys a big and experienced CB in the summer. RVP is useless we need to sell him and get what we can. SICK, SICK, SICK . . .

waylin

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 03:18 PM - Reply

Wenger not strengthening the squad in January has caused the chickens to come home to roost!

Andy B

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 02:04 PM - Reply

Whats happening with the comment board?

David

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 01:59 PM - Reply

Cut the bullshit Wenger, start changing your transfer policy in the summer to rescue the Arsenal team please! It's so obvious that we lacked goal scorers and solid defending. Each game we find it hard to get a goal, even if we do get one, we could easily lose the lead very quickly. Major clearout needed!

adrian

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 01:43 PM - Reply

choking again? this is hard for the fans to swallow....another trophy-less season.

Mart the Bag

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 01:37 PM - Reply

If there was a great sense of belief amomgst the players before last nights match, it surely has evaporated now and AW is virtually confirming that. How do you motivate and lift the spirit of this team now? It's the scum on their home turf on Sunday - they have far more to play for than us. We'd better watch that we don't finish the season in 4th place!

Seliji

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 01:27 PM - Reply

seems that everyone on this planet except the Gooners will be happy with this result.I had to agree with AW.in the previous weeks we were always denied a fair judgement from the match officials (except during the Bolton game)again and again.this is very hard to swallow because the exit was solely caused by the officials rather than our players or the opponents.yes they scored 4 goals against us last night but do you believe the 4th goal will be scored if not for the f**king penalty??when the penalty was scored of course we would have to go all out and that will expose the defenders more to the counter offensive.f**k referees!!!!

ahmed

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 01:11 PM - Reply

it serves you right. You should feel what the fans are feeling when you dont add to your squad when your competitors are busy doing just that. The boys are good but cant cop[e all season. Hard luck to all gunners!

Richard Betts

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 12:52 PM - Reply

When is Arsene Wenger going to realise that Phillippe Senderos is not good enough to wear an Arsenal shirt. Why does he insist on playing Senderos and therefore playing Toure out of position? To make things worse he plays Eboue on the right of midfield when surely he should be played at right back (his actual position) when Sagna is injured. That way Toure would not be played out of position, our defense would be stronger and then Walcott (as he deserves) could have played from the start. The Hypia and Torres goals show that Senderos does not have the caliber we need. I'm not a football manager but even i can see that Eboue is the natural replacement for Sagna....baffles me.

Edward Chayz

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 12:40 PM - Reply

I really do hope this message gets to Wenger. It is high time he realized the fact that you cannot get a boy to do a man's job. Arsenal has a very promising team but it's getting to that point where we all need to accept the reality that they would go season after season(at least for now)without any trophies because once the stakes are high,these boys buckkle.I am kind of tired of this blaming business because it never changes the result.It upsets me whenever Wenger starts this sort of thing.Watching the Arsenal Liverpool games only confirmed my fears because we played way better football than these guys so why are we out? I can bet you on my life that no other person in that squad could gather that amount of courage Theo walcott had when he made that run. That was just courage and these other boys lack it.Against AC Milan, Theo was the guy going at these big men without fear so it gets on my nerves when all these other mess this thing up conceeding very stupid goals.Only arsenal would be 2-2 five minutes to the end of the game and still loose it. Only arsenal would be five point clear (twice)in the premiership and drop all the points. Wenger needs to do something. Yes he has taken arsenal to another level but i personally feel he cannot go any higher. His philosophy on building a team on just young talented players is just not working. There must be a proper blend of talented men and rugged men. It's either that or i can as well hand over my membership to my 2yr old boy 'cos i will not experience it till i return to mother earth.

kabir

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 11:33 AM - Reply

i believe it's a good statement made by arsene wenger but he is the one that made the fans to believe in the beginning of the season that the players will do something great but at the end the players will be tired when there are a lot work to do like playing premiership, fa cup,carling,champions league and also national assignment and they are young and sometimes experience matters. I would like to tell wenger that he should try as much as possible to sign players that are more experienced so that presure would not be on the players we have now

Nikhil

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 11:27 AM - Reply

Complain to Fifa about the wrong decisions.

truth_hurts

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 10:37 AM - Reply

in the two ties we beat Liverpool zero times. its our own fault.

Terri

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 10:28 AM - Reply

We did have very costly decisions go against us in both ties, very poor referee's and they should be accountable as they can ruin a club's season as these decisions have. It is no good them apologising then it is too late. They should do their job properly Perhaps someone at Liverpool FC gave a back hander
We played well last night and I am proud of the team as they should be of themselves.
This is a young team and I am confident that next season will be good. Have faith in these players and the manager.
Liverpool will be laughing on the otherside of their faces anyway as this competition is going to be won by Man U

Terri

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 10:12 AM - Reply

Yes we had all the decisions go against us in both of the ties, perhaps the ref had a back hander from someone at Liverpool
We played well and I was proud of the team as they should be of themselves. We can hold our head high
It does not matter about Liverpool because Man Utd are going to win this competition so they will be laughing on the other side of their faces come the final
Let's look forward to next season when I know this young team can and will progress. Have faith in them and the manager

Femi

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 09:57 AM - Reply

This is what we're getting for leaving someone who's supposed to be the Director of the team as coach.

Femi

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 09:53 AM - Reply

Sir. Face the truth for once. It's always clear there will always be controversial calls in football matches. But it's wrong to become a constant 'victim'. The blame lies squarely on the team and your managing. You refuse to listen to sound advice. Have you forgotten that Adebayor missed a sitter? Who's to blame for that. Have you forgotten that Bendtner, instead of allowing Fabregas goal-bound ball in and getting out of the way, wanted to take the credit and stopped the ball? You stunned Liverpool for about 15mins, but your players were goal shy and instead chose to place Adebayor off-side? THE FAULT IS ARSENAL'S. FORGET ABOUT REF'S DECISIONS. WASTEFULNESS HAS COST TITLES AGAIN.

Dillan Patel

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 09:42 AM - Reply

WE NEED SOME BIG NAMES, and need to be more direct, because that was how we played when we were winning

Yavor

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 09:27 AM - Reply

Injustice? More like robbery! Uefa is a bunch of crooks that contunie to oppose technology as that will diminish their influence on the game. First, a fixed draw to the advantage of Chelsea and Utd, then blatant penalty decisions eliminate the best team so far! It is time for a more aggresive approach from the club even risking further damage. It is not acceptable that refs continue to decide games through their personal /or forced upon them/ bias! OUTRAGEOUS!

Don

Posted on 9 Apr, 2008 at 09:09 AM - Reply

what a shame, dodgy decions are bad enough, but EVEN WORSE IS A GUY CALLED SENDEROS.. what a disgrace. we should throw him out and buy some proper defenders. walcott showed why he needs to play more. its been said a million times but we need more squad depth.. big time and quick time

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