Arsenal players accused of ganging up on referee in red card storm

Arsenal's players have been accused of deliberately intimidating referees to get opponents sent off after Karl Henry was shown a red card for a challenge on Tomas Rosicky at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Wolverhampton Wanderers captain called the decision a "disgrace" and said Arsène Wenger's side were guilty of "rolling around getting people sent off".

"I'm bitterly disappointed with it, it wasn't a red card," said the midfielder. "Maybe a yellow card, but I think I would still have been screaming at the referee, so to get a red card for that is an absolute disgrace. Denilson has dropped Rosicky short, I've gone in to win it and I've nicked the ball. Their player has come in, [Thomas] Vermaelen and whoever else, trying to get me sent off. Two minutes later, Rosicky's up running around and absolutely fine. That's what they do here. I don't think it's pretty, it's not good. Their players moan when they get tackled, when they get hit hard, and so does Arsène Wenger.

"I certainly wouldn't be running over trying to get a player sent off. We know that's the game we are in – I think here in particular. Arsenal moan a lot, their players go down like a sack of spuds. They get hit hard like any other clubs do and we are hearing about it for weeks and weeks. To get sent off is a disgrace. They are a great side and we love Arsenal's great football, but when they are rolling around getting people sent off, it makes you not want to see them do so well."

Arsenal, who play Barcelona at Camp Nou tomorrow, will not take kindly to renewed suggestions that they are a soft touch when it comes to hard tackling and will be keen to put any controversy behind them as they prepare for their daunting Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Wolves are considering appealing to the Football Association against the red card although their manager, Mick McCarthy, knows the referee, Andre Marriner, is unlikely to retract his decision. Henry's challenge on Rosicky 24 minutes from time was untidy, the visitors' captain sliding in and taking the Czech's left leg while also appearing to connect with the ball. Vermaelen, Alex Song, Eduardo and Sol Campbell were quick to remonstrate with Marriner, "helping him make his decision", according to McCarthy.

The furious reaction of the Arsenal players was born of a feeling within the club that their players have been targeted in recent times. Wenger has called for his team to receive more protection after seeing the likes of Abou Diaby, Eduardo, Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Ramsey suffer serious injuries in challenges in the last four years.

Asked whether he would condone his players' reaction in surrounding the official on Saturday, Wenger said: "They did [crowd the referee], but it's explainable by the recent history we have with injuries. With what happened to us it's still a trauma in the team. We do not want that, so we have to be careful, but the referee makes the decisions."

Wenger did concede that Henry had been "a bit unlucky" to see red, though that will be little consolation for the Wolves captain who is set to miss games against Stoke, Fulham and Blackburn. "It's sad to see you can't tackle any more in the game," added Henry.

"I'm only 27, I grew up watching some of the older games and I've seen tackles flying in. Today, it seems you can't make contact with anybody.

"I can understand how the referee gives a foul. But it was never a red card. It's an absolute joke."

Source: Guardian.co.uk
Photo: Wolves' Karl Henry, centre, heads for the dressing room after being sent off by Andre Marriner for a tackle on Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky. Photograph: Tony O'Brien/Action Images

Arsenal stun Barcelona with stirring second half fightback

Arsenal survived a mauling by Barcelona to earn a 2-2 draw in their Champions League quarter-final tie at The Emirates.

A breathtaking game seemed to be going the way of the Spanish visitor’s who dominated for long periods, particularly in the first half when only a string of Manuel Almunia saves denied them.

The game reached half time scoreless much to the relief of the Gunners team who found themselves chasing the game for much of the half.

If Almunia had kept Arsenal in the game the Spanish stopper was at fault within a minute of the restart.

The hosts defence allowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic a clear run on goal and with the keeper in no-mans land a cool lob opened the scoring.

Arsenal had not learned their lesson and on 59 minutes Xavi released Ibrahimovic again and this time the sheer power of the shot defeated Almunia.

But the home side were given a lifeline back into the game on 69 minutes courtesy of substitute Theo Walcott who raced into the area and fired under Victor Valdes.

With six minutes remaining the fightback was complete as Carles Puyol bundled over Reds skipper Cesc Fabregas as he prepared to shoot and was shown a straight red.

Fabregas drove the resulting penalty straight down the middle of goal to complete a rousing second half and give the Gunners a glimmer of hope for the second leg next week.

As for Barcelona they will be disappointed they did not book their semi-final pace tonight after being in command for so long.

Walcott told ITV1 “It was good game for the neutral and to play in.

“I knew that if things weren’t going too well I’d get a chance to come on and show what I could do.
“The team did fantastically well to show that character and again the fans were fantastic.

“We were very disappointed with the two goals as you want to keep clean sheets, but if you look back on the game they had a lot of possession and in the end 2-2 was a fair result.