Arsene Wenger hits out at referee after Arsenal’s Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb

1 Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hit out at Romanian referee Ovidiu Alin Hategan for sending off striker Olivier Giroud after the Gunners fell to a 2-1 defeat in their Champions League opener at Dimano Zagreb.

The France forward missed a couple of early chances before collecting two cautions in the first half, for dissent and then tripping Daniel Ivo Pinto.

Wenger – who had made half a dozen changes with one eye on Saturday’s trip to Chelsea – criticised the official’s performance after the game but admitted his side were below par in Croatia.

“We were a bit unlucky tonight,” the Frenchman said. “I believe the first goal is offside and after the sending off is very harsh.

“We were not at our best, but nor was the referee tonight.

“The first yellow is Giroud’s fault because he protested, even if it was not a foul against him. But after he should not have responded to the referee.

“The second yellow card, he is unlucky to touch the guy – he did not see him. It was accidental completely, but it happened.

“I don’t understand the referee. It has to be on purpose, a foul on purpose. Then the referee should have given many yellows tonight.”