Wenger slams 'dodgy penalty' after Champions League exit
Wenger was livid after another penalty decision went against him
Wednesday, 09, Apr 2008 01:26
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims the referees got it wrong over the two-legged Champions League semi-final defeat to Liverpool.
The Frenchman believes the Reds were awarded a soft penalty in the closing stages of the 4-2 win at Anfield, which was converted by Steven Gerrard.
And Wenger was equally incensed by the officials' failure to award the Gunners a penalty of their own in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, which finished 1-1 on the night.
"I believe [the defeat] is down to a dodgy decision from the referee and a lack of concentration at 2-2," he said after the result on Merseyside.
"It is difficult to swallow. It is a double disappointment because all the big decisions went against us.
"I have seen the replay and we were denied a clear penalty last week. That was a real penalty, this one wasn't."
Wenger also lamented his young side's naivety when they were in control of the game for the majority of the first half, especially after they took an early lead through Abou Diaby.
"We lacked a bit of maturity defensively, we had so much control in the game," he continued.
"The mental strength of the team was fantastic but it was down to lack of experience.
"This team has plenty of talent and potential but we lacked that little bit of extra confidence. We have a feeling of disappointment and injustice."