Wenger fumes over gruelling schedule

– Livid –

The turning point in the game was referee Bobby Madley’s decision not to award a penalty when Jay Rodriguez appeared to be fouled in the first half.

Even Wenger conceded it could have been given.

“The referee gave the advantage but the decision is defendable from both sides. It could have been a penalty,” he said.

Albion manager Tony Pulis was livid with the decision and still hadn’t cooled down by the time he spoke to the media after the match.

“Obviously we believe it’s a penalty, but we haven’t had a penalty for over a year,” Pulis complained.

“Facts are facts. The great thing is that everybody has seen it.

“He still wanted to score but once he has missed the referee should pull it back.

“It could be a penalty and they could have a player sent off so we not only score but are against a team down to 10 players.”

Having enjoyed a stroke of luck with the penalty, Arsenal eventually eased to a win that extended their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions since their thrashing at Liverpool.

Wenger believes establishing a powerful presence in home games is especially important for their title chances.

“What is important is we are strong at home,” he said.

“We have played three difficult away games. It’s important to keep our home strength, we will make results away.

“It was important to take three points tonight because everyone else won, so you feel under pressure.

“We are in a different mental aspect since the Liverpool defeat. We believe in our work.”