Arsene Wenger: Victor Wanyama should have been sent off and Spurs were lucky to be given a penalty

Theo Walcott was unhappy with Victor Wanyama
Theo Walcott was unhappy with Victor Wanyama Credit: reuters

Arsène Wenger has accused Victor Wanyama of elbowing Theo Walcott and claimed that, as well as equalising with a “harsh” penalty, Tottenham were fortunate to finish with 11 men on the pitch.

Wanyama went unpunished for the challenge that left Walcott clutching his face and then angrily arguing with Jan Vertonghen shortly before half-time but Wenger felt that the Tottenham midfielder had also got away with other infringements. 

“He was very lucky to stay on the pitch of course,” said Wenger. “There were a few fouls; the elbow on Walcott for example.” 

There was also frustration at referee Mark Clattenburg’s decision to award a penalty when Mousa Dembélé went down under a challenge by Laurent Koscielny, even if Wenger struggled to explain why it was not a foul. 

“The penalty was harsh,” he said. “We were a bit unlucky. It didn’t look a deliberate foul or that he was dangerous to score. Even speaking to some referees, you can give it or not give it. 

“As the Arsenal manager, I would not have given it. We have to cope with that. The referee makes the decisions and nobody stopped us from scoring a second goal.” 

Indeed, Mauricio Pochettino had arguably more cause to complain about Arsenal’s goal, which Kevin Wimmer headed into his own goal while two Arsenal players were in an offside position. 

Whether they affected Wimmer’s decision to attack the ball was clearly open to debate but Pochettino said they he had not seen the incident and that he regarded the 1-1 draw as “a fair result”.

With Arsenal having taken the lead and briefly dominated before half-time, Wenger felt that it was “two points dropped” in the Premier League title race.

“In the first half we looked like we could score every time we crossed the halfway line,” said Wenger. “In the second half we looked a bit more flat physically and less sharp. We couldn’t find any creativity around the box. Our level dropped.” 

Wenger then agreed that Liverpool and Chelsea, who dropped out of the Champions League places last season, have what he called “a little physical advantage” in the matches that follow midweek European matches. 

Pochettino, who changed his formation to a three-man defence with wing-backs, was delighted to remain unbeaten in the Premier League. He was also adamant that Harry Kane’s return had given the club an “emotional” lift amid a winless run that stretches seven matches. 

“It was a very difficult game for us, but 11 unbeaten in the Premier League? We need to be very pleased,” said Pochettino. “If you have bad moments, as we have had this month, and you are still unbeaten, all I can do is smile. I’m happy.

“The feeling is fantastic. It’s been very tough for us. Harry missed 10 games in those few months, and he’s our main striker and last season’s top scorer in the Premier League. So losing him was difficult.” 

Pochettino was especially enthused by the central midfield influence of Dembélé “He’s a genius,” he said.

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