Arsene Wenger believes Olivier Giroud was unlucky to be sent off and claimed Arsenal suffered at the hands of the referee as they lost 2-1 to Dinamo Zagreb.
The French striker picked up a booking for dissent on 23 minutes before receiving his marching orders five minutes before half time for a clumsy challenge on the edge of the Gunners box.
Clearly frustrated the boss accepted that the trip to Croatia represented a miserable way to start the latest Champions League campaign.
“Yes, of course [it’s bad],” he told BT Sport. “We lost the game. It’s not the way we wanted to begin the competition.
“I think we were a bit unlucky today as well. Overall we faced a Zagreb side team who was committed.
“I think they got a lot of advantages today [from the officials] and ourselves, once we were two-nil down it was very difficult with ten against eleven players, especially against a team who defends in their half. We had to score two goals and it was too difficult.
“We gave it our all until the end, but unfortunately we couldn’t come back.”
On Olivier Giroud’s sending off for two bookable offences, Wenger made clear that he disagreed with the Romanian referee.
“I think on the first yellow card he is unlucky because it’s a foul for us. On the second it’s an accident, he didn’t foul on purpose. They [Dinamo] got away many times with obvious fouls but without yellow cards.
“We have to take it on the chin and focus on the next game. It is like that. I think on the first yellow he was unlucky with the decision but he should not have protested.
“When you don’t win I have to look at myself. I deeply don’t believe that the loss is down to the fact we changed the players, but we haven’t won so I’m in the same boat as the players.
“We have enough games to come back, we focus to win our next home game and I’m sure we can beat Zagreb at home.”
I don’t think we did give it our all, Wenger.
It’s sad that I could predict the result of the game the moment we conceded the first goal.
It’s almost imperative for us to score first in a game. I’m struggling to remember a game in recent past where we came back after going a goal down.
Last time we came from behind to win was Anderlecht away Oct. 2014.2-1 win with two stoppage time goals from Gibbs and Podolski. So yeah its been awhile…
excuses excuses excuses.
wenger says the champions league is his holy grail.
well why dont he pick his strongest 11 and FUCKING go for it
Yes we did not give our all by any stretch of the imagination. But like Arsene said: let’s take it on the chin on the chin and move on to the next game – these things happen.
My team for Saturday:-
Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Kos, Monreal, Coq, Cazorla, Ozil, Ramsey, Alexis and Walcott. This is our best team at the moment and is capable of winning at Stamford Bridge. I watched their much changed team too and they were not spectacular. We can handle any team they bring on. I believe!
Thank you for ruining my night Arsenal!
I was kinda hoping things would turn out better as well.
Ain’t even that bad. Away goal will be useful for the home leg
We’ll just draft behind Bayern and finish second. Smash Real Madrid or Barca or whoever in the round of 16, etc. etc. and win the Champions League. I’ve got it all figured out guys.
Away goal? Am I missing something? Those count until the next round right? Or did the rules change?
Something to do with head to head. As shocking as it sounds should we finish on the same points and goal difference as Dinamo Zagreb It might come into play.
I’m struggling to work out how nobody knows, or at least remembers, this rule. Do you not remember how we were one goal away from Napoli putting us out at the group stage 2 seasons ago? We won 2 nil at home and they were 2 nil up in the final few minutes. Remember last season how, had we got one more goal against Dortmund at home we would have finished first instead of them. Really basic rule that’s been around for years and affected us for the past 2 seasons.
Trust Penis. I do it all the time and while it may not always be the right thing to do, at least I’m happy
It’s okay everybaady! The Penis has it all figured out. haha
Gooners left frustrated with team performance and Giroud.
who care about cl
That is the spirit, I’ve given up win the window closed.
we should focus more on the league
we have no chance on cl
Strangely I know where you’re coming from. Initially your comment sounds insane, but why bother getting upset about it? We have no chance of winning the Champions League, I’m not sure we’ve got a great chance in the PL but it’s our most realistic chance. As long as we reach the last 16 for prestige and financial reasons and avoid injuries such as that which Man Utd suffered last night, it’s all good.
If we beat Chelsea (seems far fetched right now granted) this will be forgiven.
we have a big chance against chel$ea , because we will play with our first team (Bellerin , monreal , walcott , ramsey , cech) all are going to play form the Beginning
and this will make huge difference
and what the point of (you know where i come from ) ???!
Deluded, myopic, inflexible, stubborn. Analog manager in a digital game. Love you Arsene for all you’ve done, but when the same mistakes happen repeatedly, year in, year out, who’s always at the scene of the crime? Squad always two players short. Tactics inflexible. Pre-determined substitutions, made with no regard to what’s going on, on the pitch. Same rhetoric over and over. When he says the fans “have never worked a day in football” most of the better pundits have. And year in year out, it’s the same discussion over the same issues. It won’t change until Arsene changes and we… Read more »
When will your moaning end?
Do you know digital can never replicate what analog can do? 🙂
The team has no business loosing the match. You don’t get respect of teams in Europe by winning only your home games.I don’t understand the mental character of these players and the manager.same story every season. By the time we become 6 point behind in the next games and olympiacos away in the 3rd match, we may see things better.
I’m afraid I have to agree much as I love AW. It’s such a repetitive scenario.
Completely understand where you’re coming from. But let’s not forget that there is no guarantee of success with a new manager coming in either (might be even bad as well.) All I’m saying is Arsene is our coach, these players are our players..let’s get behind them and support them to the end. After all, the point of being fans of a football club is getting behind your team (howsoever good or bad) & enjoy the ups & downs of the beautiful game. COYG \m/
Well said.
Giroud was like a petulant child. How was that unlucky?
You got it wrong tonight Arsene. Yes, the sending off was harsh but Giroud shouldn’t have given the ref the opportunity, he was on a shaky peg in that first half. Too many changes cost us. But that’s not to excuse the likes of Debuchy and Gibbs who spectacularly failed to grasp their opportunity, as well as our more established first-team members too. Our approach stank of arrogance, much like the first leg against Monaco. When will we understand that at European level (and frankly when it comes to ANY game these days whether it’s domestic or elsewhere) you cannot… Read more »
He will give the cun’t at Chelsea way back into the league. What I chance to kick that man while he is down and let the mad Russian sack the hell out of him. I hope I am wrong though.
there there, Glasgow, keep the faith.
Don’t you know it is NEVER his fault.
Win against Mourinho on Saturday anf we will forget this result
You can complain about Wenger “making excuses” by pointing out the officials were bad, but the fact is they were awful. He was asked to explain the loss and he did. He said we didn’t play well, he said that Zagreb DID play well, and he pointed out that the officials were poor. After all, those WERE the three reasons we lost. I understand the frustration that some fans may have (I’m fuming) but some people are finding it far too easy to say that Wenger “blamed the refs again” because they believe in the narrative that he’s a stubborn… Read more »
Not signing an outfield player with money in the bank (old excuse of no money gone now), saying there is no one in world football would have improved this team is so sane and logical?
Same mistakes every year is so sane and logical? I don’t know how long you will keep apologising for Arsene.
Wasn’t at all talking about his actions in the transfer market if you read the comment. I actually criticize Wenger often and think he made a mistake not getting another midfielder this summer. But please, feel free to continue labeling anyone who isn’t constantly calling for his removal an “apologist.”
“no-one AVAILABLE in world football who could have improved the team”…..get it right man, it’s not like Wenger was offered a Reus, Cavani, Pogba and turned round and said “actually, I’m ok thanks”.
“I’m sure we can beat Zagreb at home.”
My spirits are now lifted.
Arsenal fans left frustrated by Arsene Wenger
Am i alone in thinking Giroud was desperately unlucky ? Two yellows for fuck all.
No. I feel we were cheated. Did you see how even the referee was wasting time? It’s fucking ridiculous. Not to mention how he interrupted Sanchez while taking the free kick only to move the ball an inch or two.
Didn’t he also blow the whistle 30 early, not counting the usual extra for subs, time-wasting etc. Wouldn’t have helped, but shows poor officiating
“I’m sure we can beat Zagreb at home?”
Wenger, don’t be so sure or cocky after that dreadful performance.
Glad he addressed the rotation point. I don’t know if it was one too many changes, but then people will complain that he does not rotate. I guess he overdid it, and given that rotation is something he usually does not do, one wonders if it was a little arrogant? Also, pair Arteta with someone else, don’t take all the power out of midfield. Finally, the current champions (yes, they’re arseholes) need a pick-me-up kind of win to kickstart their season. Thumb me down, but we are the perfect team to play for that situation. I hope we win, but… Read more »
What an awful game. Made worse by the chavs winning 4-0 at home.
On the bright side, Fabregas played well.
It hurts me to say this but at least they got the job done when it mattered.
We’re deluded if anyone thinks we can win CL on this form.
What? Who thought we can win the CL??
Wenger should be frustrated with Giroud, not the officials. The officials were morons but that’s to be expected.
When you are on a (bogus) yellow with a ref who clearly doesn’t like you WHY make an above-the-knee challenge from the side? Only one thing is ever going to happen.
Yes the refs are awful but that doesn’t excuse Giroud throwing the game away by being dumber than a box of rocks. It’s unforgivable.
Spot on.
Actually, he tried to kick the ball and that guy came running in.
He shouldn’t have called the ref une cunt before though…
Totally agree, but it was clear as crystal after the yellow for dissent that HFB was going to see a red card–I know it’s highly unorthodox, but I was begging for HFB to be subbed before he could shoot Arsenal in the foot. It seemed inevitable, especially after that other bit around the Zagreb goal.
The ball was bouncing towards Giroud, the opponent came in from the his blindside and you are accusing Giroud of making a stupid knee high challenge? What was he supposed to do, stand dead still until the ball reaches him?
The only stupid thing Giroud did was dissent which was rather tame compared to some I have seen.
It’s Wenger’s job to know Giroud’s mental state. I hope he NOW knows but I’m not sure. Many people here could already see it in previous games.
Mental preparation and tactics and approach are Wenger’s main responsibilities; they all know how to kick and pass and run.
He is right but i dont want to hear that shit right now…The change that truly cost us was Arteta…Disrupts the entire team…From the Fullbacks and CBs to his midfield partner in Santi.
Absolute disgrace that’s what that was this sqaud ain’t good enough to win anything
“I think we were a bit unlucky today as well. Overall we faced a Zagreb team who was committed” what hell did you think they were going to be??? And why the hell why we not committed????!!!!!
This club is so full of shit sometimes.
“I’m sure we can beat Zagreb at home.” – The fact it’s necessary for him to make that statement is pretty depressing, on top of the hopeless performance it sums up our overall ambition quite well it seems- do the bare fucking minimum to finish 3/4 place each year.
Not so sure we can beat them if they come “committed”.
Wenger thinks HE’S frustrated?
We need to rotate for sure but the changes cost us tonight, some players not at the required level just yet in the season, Debuchy, Ox and Arteta. Tonight proved to me how important Coquelin is for us, Arteta just doesn’t have the energy levels or Coquelin’s love for what is required, and even at this stage Arteta’a passing isn’t quick enough, he won’t be starting any big games this season unless we are stuck. Ox was poor as well, it’s Ramsey out wide right for sure on Saturday and foreseeable future, Ox needs to be more switched on defensively… Read more »
“I’m sure we can beat Zagreb at home.” – The fact it’s necessary for him to make that statement is pretty depressing, on top of the hopeless performance it sums up our overall ambition quite well it seems- do the bare fking minimum to finish 3/4 place each year.
Fucks sake it’ll be another ban for Wenger. Can’t condemn the officials should know from the past they’re never wrong.
Bring back our SANOGO
Every time Wenger opens his mouth i’m reminded of the Barry Manilow song “One Voice” https://youtu.be/FKPWzLgvgW4
Just play the academy players in the group stage and let them get a feel for the level. Its not like we have any chance of winning the CL anyway. Dissapointing performance today, Expecting to be thoroughly thrashed by Mourinho on Saturday. Come Christmas though we will pick it up a notch and finish the season strong making the top 4 after all. And having won 15 of our last 16 games of the season Wenger will be convinced this team is strong enough to challenge next season and we make no signings but instead give Giroud and Arteta contract… Read more »
You can’t control the referees. But you can control your own temperament and in games like this there is not much margin for error. It’s not a coincidence that, after a bright start, we went shoal down after the yellow card. The dissent from Giroud was comical. I usually back the guy, but I would have substituted him there and then. I knew, I just knew he would get sent off. And for letting the side down I would give him time with Sznzny to get a reality check. So disappointed
We’ve always got a result like this in us….always. That’s why we’ll never win big again under Wenger.
Another season but same old story. Another transfer window where Wenger missed the opportunity to make us progress because of his lack of aggression and ruthlessness in the transfer market. Mikel Arteta may be a good guy and a good captain off the pitch but what does he offer this team.. This summer we needed two players to make us progress to the next level and once again Wenger fails. There was no excuse for not signing a DM, are Arteta and Flamini really good enough for Arsenal FC..I have some sympathy in regards to signing a striker as there… Read more »
Lets look at the positive here. We are due imploding once in the Champions League. Usually its the first leg of the knock-out stages. Good we got that done sooner this time, so we can beat whoever the hell we meet in the round of 16.
If I hear “unlucky” or the opponent was “committed” after a loss from Wenger I may throw up in my mouth. For once I’d like to see him angry at some of the poor performances and mental mistakes (i.e. Giroud, Chamberlin falling asleep on defense, etc.) instead of make excuses for them. Yes there certainly will be times we play well and are unlucky not to win, but this certainly was not one of them. Coquelin certainly needs breaks and can’t play every match, but to pair Arteta with Carzola against a speedy team was a bad decision. I know… Read more »
I hope in the return leg arsenal will do it’s magic and beat this team which was being assisted by player no 12.,ref:
I’m sorry but Wenger not making a change at half time with a goal and a man down and playing so poorly is criminal and for me he let the players down with his inaction. Amazingly I called the exact changes he eventually made but I expected it at half time. Great manager, not so great tactician. Not anymore. Sadly
Wenger could live until he’s a 1000 and he’d never win CL, he tactically inept. Couldn’t win it with the great sides he had. probably achieve his goal of reaching last 16 and finishing 3rd/4th and reach the CL again……the never ending cycle
Yeah, right. When all else fails, blame the officials.
the players looked rusty with no drive. they underperformed. and were not fully switch on. when i saw ozil and alexis laughing during the CL hymn i knew we were in trouble. i am not a wenger supporter. but the cold reality is that the players who had their chance yesterday (the ox, arteta, ospina, gibbs, debuchy) have proven that they deserved to be subsitute. so it’s quite a worry .cause we will need them again at some point as the season progress. so it’s gonna be a mighty battle against chelski this week end. a loss for them and… Read more »
Actually, the MOUth have just inked a 4-year extension, and having won yesterday, isn’t going anywhere soon. But if his EPL run continues as it started, he won’t be back next season.
Wenger has been great for Arsenal and still is. Replacing him will leave Arsenal worse off. Having said that the lack of variety is what is causing the team issues. This is what Wenger and Bould can easily remedy in training. Every team in Europe now knows how to set up against Arsenal. The one dimensional tactics are what’s causing the problems. Arsenal need a balance of slide rule passers, dribblers and players happy to have a crack from 25 yards. We have the players already but hey are not being allowed to express themselves. This will keep the defenders… Read more »
Not to mention a couple of offside calls on Ozil that weren’t.