Arsene Wenger Bemoans Time-Wasting Tactics After Dropping Points At Southampton

Arsene Wenger not happy with Southampton’s apparent time-wasting tactics…

Arsene Wenger bemoaned Southampton’s apparent time-wasting tactics after Olivier Giroud’s late header salvaged a point for us after a difficult afternoon at St Mary’s.

Our record in the Premier League at the south coast ground isn’t impressive, with our 2-0 there last season the only visible victory at that ground since Southampton got promoted in 2012.

Wenger has frequently shifted attention to the officials when we’ve produced a poor performance, a boy was our display at Southampton the definition of poor.

The hosts could’ve been 3-0 up at half-time and it took us a while to get stunned into action.

While our issues may have been due to slight trepidation following the defeat to Manchester United last weekend or an inability to create chances away from home, Wenger chose to focus on Southampton’s gamesmanship.

“The wasting of time became a real problem and the referees have not found an answer yet,” Wenger told BT Sport.

“In the first half the referee could have given a penalty and in the second half we could not take advantage of a counter-attack in the last minute.”

“The answer is the authority of the referees,” Wenger added when asked what the solution to time-wasting is.

“First of all, I think it’s in the hands of the players to respect the game and to play and then for the referees to act early.”

We’ve been the victims of some extreme time-wasting tactics in the past, particularly at the Emirates Stadium, though I’m not sure the Saints reached those levels on Saturday.

They were certainly trying to do everything to protect their lead, but the onus is on us to control the tempo of the game and take it to them.

If we judge the game purely on the clear-cut chances created, we were lucky to escape with a point.

source: BT Sport

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