Sagna shocked at Dowd language

Defender Bacary Sagna has said that he's shocked at the language used by referee Phil Dowd in the match on Saturday against Newcastle United.

Sagna said he had confronted Dowd after the referee awarded Newcastle a penalty against Laurent Koscielny but was shocked at the official's reaction to his protests.

Arsenal had taken a 4-0 lead at half-time but inexplicably conceded four in the second half and could have lost the match.

Undoubtedly, Newcastle were more than fortunate with two penalties awarded by Dowd, one of which Sagna tried to get an explanation on.

Sagna said: "I asked him for an explanation and he was pretty hard on me.

"I won't repeat what words he came out with but they should never come from a referee."

Part of Arsenal's capitulation could be blamed on midfielder Abou Diaby's dismissal. The Frenchman had reacted to an illegal challenge from Newcastle captain Joey Barton.

Sagna aded: "I've experienced the same problem [with Barton]. I was the victim of several attacks and it gets in your head.

"Abou reacted badly but the referee should have taken disciplinary measures."

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