Wenger: Cazorla lost balance

Arsene Wenger defended Santi Cazorla after Arsenal's victory over West Bromwich Albion, but has yet to review the incident which infuriated Steve Clarke.

Last Updated: 09/12/12 at 08:38 Post Comment

Mikel Arteta opened the scoring for the Gunners with a penalty in their 2-0 victory over the Baggies, after referee Mike Jones ruled that Steven Reid had brought down Cazorla.

Clarke hit out at the decision after the final whistle and insisted there was 'zero contact', but Wenger revealed that he had talked to Cazorla.

"I am sorry if it was not a penalty, but I have spoken to Santi and he said he was touched, lost his balance. Has he made a bit more of it? I don't know," Wenger said.

"When he [a player] is touched, he goes down, the referee can give or not give the penalty. Of course [I will speak to Santi if he has not been touched]. I will look at it, don't worry."

Despite its controversial nature, it was a much-needed first victory in four matches for the Gunners, who have moved back up the Premier League table as a result.

"Overall we played well. We were maybe a bit lucky on the first penalty, but we created chances and kept a clean sheet," Wenger said.

"We have shown a great spirit, which many people questioned after our last game, so we did our job very well.

"You could feel we were ready for a fight and that we absolutely had to win this game, which is what we did."

England midfielder Jack Wilshere produced a composed display and was the heartbeat of the Arsenal side.

Wenger said: "Jack is getting closer to the player we know he is and today I think he made a big step.

"You could see it already this week in training, that he has gained a little burst again, a little zip in the first three or four yards.

"In football, you have sometimes to be patient. He can only gain it by playing but of course in the first games you cannot be at that level."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

S

wap deal with ITV. Can't wait to see Stuart Pearce and Roy Keane giving each other the evils.

rambo
Southgate tipped for U-21 job

J

oe has signed John Scales instead.

rambo
Newcastle pull Douglas deal

D

oes the medical involve some sort of dressage event?

shabtastic
Carroll set for Hammers medical

Footer 365

Luis Suarez should not be blinded by Liverpool loyalty, says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher says Luis Suarez should not be blinded by loyalty to Liverpool if Real Madrid make a big-money offer.

Confederations Cup: Brazil on verge of semi-finals after 2-0 win over Mexico

Neymar all but fired Brazil to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup as they defeated Mexico 2-0.

Transfer news: Feyenoord say Lex Immers will stay following links to Cardiff City

Feyenoord have moved to dismiss reports that midfielder Lex Immers could be on his way to Cardiff City.

Mail Box

'Bye Sunderland' & More Fixtures Reaction

The afternoon mailbox has plenty more views on the fixture list. Plus, a sublime piece of skill from Emile Heskey, more cool 'ballers and dull football matches...

One Guy's Genuinely Irked About Fixtures

A Gooner in the Mailbox seems to genuinely think that the world/fixture computer is against his team. Sigh. That, plus more cool footballers & Mike Ashley: Supervillain...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved