Wenger blasts referee after defeat

Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos was sent off for a poor tackle in the 15th minute of Wednesday night’s game as Leicester went on to register a 3-1 win in front of its home fans. 

Kelechi Iheanacho punished some poor defending by Arsenal to put Leicester ahead before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found the equaliser early in the second half. But Leicester were awarded a penalty when Henrikh Mkhitaryan brought down Demarai Gray inside the Arsenal penalty box. Leicester’s star striker Jamie Vardy stepped up to convert the spot kick while Riyad Mahrez scored the third goal for the host in the 90th minute. 

“The penalty is a very creative, imaginative aspect from the referee. We’ve watched it again, it’s a nice dive and it’s not a penalty. Mkhitaryan plays the ball,” Wenger said.

Wenger also praised the Arsenal players for their spirited performance despite being a man down for most of the match. Meanwhile, Harry Kane fired Tottenham Hotspur into next season’s Champions League as Chelsea faltered in a 1-1 draw at home to Huddersfield on Wednesday that secured survival for the Terriers. 

A point for Huddersfield also ensures Swansea will join West Brom and Stoke in being relegated to the Championship barring a 10-goal swing in goal difference between the Welsh side and Southampton on the final day of the season on Sunday. 

At the other end of the table, only defeat for Champions League finalist Liverpool at home to Brighton at the weekend will give Chelsea any chance of a top-four finish as its late season charge came undone at Stamford Bridge. Spurs capitalised on Chelsea’s slip-up to ensure it will have Champions League football for a third consecutive year in a row.