Arsene Wenger slams refereeing in Premier League, insisting levels ‘have not gone up’ after Arsenal conceded controversial penalty
Frenchman insists he campaigned for officials to become professional, but claims there has been little improvement since
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ARSENE WENGER claims referees level are not improving after Arsenal dropped two points following a controversial late penalty awarded against his side.
Mike Dean blew for a penalty in the final minute of the match after Kieran Gibbs' touch flicked off the arm of Calum Chambers.
And, the Gunners boss insisted he campaigned for referees to become professional earlier in his career, but admits he expected an improvement in their performance.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw at West Brom, he said: "It's disappointing to see that but what can you do?
"You can talk and talk and talk it doesn't change anything, the Premier League doesn't face the problem with the schedule or the referees.
"I fought for referees to go professional but since becoming professional their level has not gone up."
Wenger was also critical in the delay in introducing VAR.
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The video assistant referee is set to be used in English football for the first time in the FA Cup third round tie between Brighton and Crystal Palace on Monday — and the Frenchman believes it is late in coming.
He added: "I don't know why we want to be the best league in the world and we wait so long when other leagues always use it."
Arsenal looked set to take all three points back to North London when James McClean deflected Alexis Sanchez's free-kick into the back of the net with seven minutes remaining.
However, they were pegged back in the final minute when Jay Rodriguez struck from the penalty spot.