Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger criticized Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben for trying to con the referees during his team’s 1-1 draw with the Bavarian giant in Munichon Tuesday. The Frenchman, whose team lost the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 series 3-1 on aggregate, was asked how he felt about the Dutchman’s controversial performance, which saw him wina last-minute penalty that was taken and missed by Thomas Muller.
“Robben is very good at getting something out of nothing, he is a great player as well as a very gooddiver, that’s part of it,” Wenger said. “He’s a fantastic player, I would not deny that, he’s one of the best in the world, but he gets in front (of the defender) and slows down and goes down, and hegets the free kicks. If (the referee) gives him a yellow card the first time he goes down, he will not do it again.”
The Gunners boss added that the decision to send off goalkeeperWojciech Szczesny during the first-leg in London is what eventually decided the series. “Overall, over the two games, the decision to send our keeper off in the first game had a hugeimpact, it was a bad decision,” he said. “Even UEFA have come out and said they have to re-think that problem (the award of a penalty and a sending off). … Bayern are a good team, they playedwell but we still have regrets.”