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Wednesday 19 February 2014

We were robbed! Wenger accuses Robben of diving... and did Dutchman spit at Sagna? Or is it just sweat falling from his chin?


Arsene Wenger accused Arjen Robben of diving to get Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny sent off, which led to a 2-0 defeat by Bayern Munich.
The Arsenal manager was seen making a diving gesture following the incident and did not mince his words after the clash, also claiming that other Bayern players had deceived referee Nicola Rizzoli.
He said: ‘The keeper touched him, but I told Robben he made more of it and it changed the game.
‘It doesn’t just change the game, it kills the game. It was a top quality game and in the second half it was one-way traffic.’
Diver? Arsene Wenger thinks so - and he tells Arjen Robben so during a delay in play
Diver? Arsene Wenger thinks so - and he tells Arjen Robben so during a delay in play
Eyes on the ball: Robben collects a high ball in the Gunners box as Szczesny stands his ground
Eyes on the ball: Robben collects a high ball in the Gunners box as Szczesny stands his ground
Crunch time: The duo collide on the pitch, with referee Nicola Rizzoli awarding a penalty and sending the Pole off
Crunch time: The duo collide on the pitch, with referee Nicola Rizzoli awarding a penalty and sending the Pole off
Airborne: Robben sails through the London skies after his collision with a stunned Szczesny
Airborne: Robben sails through the London skies after his collision with a stunned Szczesny
There may be trouble ahead: Robben cries out upon hitting the plush Emirates turf
There may be trouble ahead: Robben cries out upon hitting the plush Emirates turf
Robben went down under a challenge from the Polish keeper, who received a straight red card. Wenger gestured with his hands to imply that Robben went down on purpose to win the penalty. David Alaba missed the spot kick but 10-man Arsenal were unable to hold out and went down to second-half goals from Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller.
Mesut Ozil also missed with a penalty for the Gunners.
To make metters worse on a miserable night for Arsenal, Szczesny is facing a UEFA probe after making a rude gesture following his sending-off.
Early bath: The Italian official moved swiftly to send Szczesny off
Early bath: The Italian official moved swiftly to send Szczesny off
Gesture: Szczesny makes his feeling known while trudging down the touchline
Gesture: Szczesny makes his feeling known while trudging down the touchline
Wenger added: ‘Robben has enough experience to make more of it. They made the most of every contact and we are not used to it. We are not used to it in England. We are not used to that in the Premier League.
‘But we have to get used to it and accept it.
‘I am not a good referee, the regret I have is that it is a decision that he made.
‘Wojciech misjudged the situation and there was no clear opportunity. You sit there and you cannot bring anyone on. I feel frustrated a bit as it was a great football game until half time. After there was no game.’
Getting shirty: Robben celebrates victory in front oif Bayern's travelling fans
Getting shirty: Robben celebrates victory in front oif Bayern's travelling fans
Livid: Wenger fumes immediately after Szczesny's sending off
Livid: Wenger fumes immediately after Szczesny's sending off
The penalty was just one of a several flash points during the encounter - both on and off the field.
The world of Twitter erupted after videos of Robben emerged with the Bayern Munich winger appearing to spit in Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna's hair.
But was it just sweat falling from Robben's chin during the Champions League last 16 match at the Emirates?
As Sagna lies face down on the grass, the former Chelsea player hovers around the floored full back and seems to show concern for his opponent, tapping him on the back twice and helping him to his feet.
Concern: Arjen Robben taps Bacary Sagna on the back
Concern: Arjen Robben taps Bacary Sagna on the back
Falling down: The unidentified liquid leaves Robben and heads in Sagna's general direction
Falling down: The unidentified liquid leaves Robben and heads in Sagna's general direction
Missile: Moisture falls from Robben onto Sagna but shots reveal it was sweat and not saliva
Missile: Moisture falls from Robben onto Sagna but shots reveal it was sweat and not saliva
Yet a globule of liquid falls from Robben's face and seems to land in Sagna's hair. 
Originally, the camera angle is inconclusive. Yet further footage suggests that it is in fact perspiration which falls onto Sagna.
With no history of spitting, it would be out of character for a player who is popular among his peers.
Robben tweet
Robben tweet
Robben tweet
Robben tweet
Robben tweet
Also, Ozil and Mathieu Flamini were involved in a heated row on the pitch, with the Frenchman seemingly upset at the £42million man’s lack of tracking back.
Wenger admitted that the penalty miss affected the German, saying: ‘Ozil’s head dropped. He wanted to do so well tonight.
‘Five or 10 minutes later on the pitch he was still shaking his head. Our usual penalty takers were not not on the pitch, it was down to Ozil, Cazorla and Sagna and Cazorla had missed recently.
Off the mark: Mesut Ozil saw his penalty saved by Manuel Neuer
Off the mark: Mesut Ozil saw his penalty saved by Manuel Neuer
Wide of the mark: David Alaba failed to hit the target from 12 yards
Wide of the mark: David Alaba failed to hit the target from 12 yards
‘Ozil has also missed so you think, he has missed one but won’t again. It can happen to everyone, you cannot reproach that. 
‘You are always concerned about the confidence of your players. That is the petrol in the team, it gives them desire to go and play. It is our job to deal with that.’

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