According to the Daily Mail, Arsene Wenger has expressed his anger at the officials in charge of Arsenal’s clash against Everton at the Emirates Stadium, claiming the equalizer to be a wrongly allowed goal.
The Barclays Premier League is becoming increasingly unpredictable, with many clubs competing for top honors this season. Clubs like Southampton have proven that with determination and team unity, any team can battle with the top sides. Arsenal’s title rivals Chelsea fell pray to Mark Hughes’ Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium, losing 3-2 to the hosts. Saturday also saw Manchester United squander another chance to break their losing streak, as they lost to Newcastle United at Old Trafford, increasing the problems for David Moyes. It was indeed Moyes’ former club Everton who visited the Emirates Stadium in search of points. The side, that is now managed by Roberto Martinez, has been the revelation of the season, with the Merseyside club also managing a win at Old Trafford in midweek. Arsenal had a wonderful opportunity to increase their lead to seven points at the top.
Even though the game began with both sides unable to take a lead, it was the home side that under the influence of the crowd, pressed for the first goal. The goal finally came in the last quarter of an hour, with Mesut Ozil providing the finishing touches to a move worked well by Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott. However, one goal was never going to be enough against a resolute Everton side that stuck to the basics of the game and were rewarded with an equalizer minutes later. Gerard Deulofeu was responsible for the goal, as the ball found itself at the feet of the Barcelona youth player after the cross was mishit by Romelu Lukaku. The Spaniard took his chance well, and after making half a yard for himself, shot at the goalkeeper, who could not match up to the ferocity of the shot but Wenger was incensed as he felt Lukaku should have been ruled offside and the goal therefore should have been disallowed.
Wenger will still be happy with the five point numeric advantage they have, but will rue the decision of the referee to award the opposition the benefit of the doubt.