Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger brands Arshavin penalty decision ‘not acceptable’

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Arsene Wenger couldn’t hide his frustration after watching Sunderland hold Arsenal to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates, with the Gunners denied what their manager felt was a clear penalty that could have secured all three points for the hosts.

Andrey Arshavin went to ground in the area after a clumsy challenge from Titus Bramble, but referee Anthony Taylor brushed aside the appeal which left Wenger a frustrated spectator.

The Arsenal boss told Sky Sports News: “He [Arshavin] was pushed, of course he was pushed.

“When you see the penalties we got at Newcastle and then this kind of penalty is not given, but you take it on the chin and continue to fight but it is absolutely disappointing and not acceptable.”

Overall, the Gunners manager could take few positives from the game but the Frenchman applauded Sunderland’s efforts and their defensive display.

“They [Arsenal’s players] gave a lot today, they put a lot of energy in but it was difficult,” he explained.

“Sunderland defended very hard and showed not a lot of ambition because they have lost a lot of games recently, so we had to be patient.”

Arshavin was the focal point of another decision that went against the home side as the Russian was put through one-on-one with Simon Mignolet, but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.

However, replays revealed that the attacker was onside and the goal that followed Arshavin’s run should have counted adding more disappointment for Wenger and his team.

“We were unlucky with some bars and posts and as well,” He continued. “Arshavin is clean through without being offside, it’s very, very disappointing. It’s very difficult to take for us that in a game of this importance that that kind of decision goes against us. If it’s offside, it’s offside, but we are all disappointed.  Definitely.”

The efforts of Sunderland’s Belgian ‘keeper was another factor in Arsenal’s misery as Craig Gordon’s stand-in put on a wonderful display to keep out anything the hosts would throw at him and his display didn’t go unnoticed by Wenger.

The Frenchman added: “Congratulations to him [Mignolet], they defended well, they played well, Sunderland. They gave absolutely everything, they played a cup game as well so it was tough to find space. We came out with 100% effort but unfortunately I have seen some things today that are difficult to take.”