Wenger slams referee's performance

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
01 May	3:00 PM	P	Blackburn Rovers (A)	1	2	Lost

Arsène Wenger has criticised referee Martin Atkinson for his performance in Arsenal's defeat to Blackburn.

Arsenal took the lead, but lost 2-1 at Ewood Park to two goals from Blackburn set-pieces.

Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski appeared to be at fault for both of the goals, but Wenger believes his 'keeper was fouled on both occasions.

He said: "I think it was a foul on both goals. There is no purpose to play the ball from the Blackburn players. Every time it's to stop the keeper from getting to the ball. And in football when you don't go for the ball, when you stop your opponent, the keeper, from going for the ball it's a foul."

Wenger has spoken before about how the position of goalkeeper is the hardest on the pitch, and that seems especially to be the case with all of Arsenal's 'keeper's ths season, but the Frenchman believes the referee has a duty to protect the men between the posts.

He said: "I think the referee cannot allow that. You have no chance as a keeper to go for the ball if every time you go somebody pushes you. The two players in front of him every time had only one purpose – to stop him from getting the ball. They did not even watch the ball.

"When it is a foul, [calling] a foul is the right protection, you know? I am very disappointed that he lets that happen in a football game. It's unfair to a goalkeeper. If they did it well, they do it well, but you know that, you feel that when you smell the game as a referee. You have to give more protection. He has no chance. When you jump into the air and are unbalanced, what can you do?"

On whether the manner of the two conceded goals would affect the confidence of Fabianski, Wenger was again quick to defend his player, saying: "I think he [Fabianski] had a good game. It should affect the confidence of the referee."

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