Wenger fumes as Gunners held by battling Boro

ARSENE WENGER employed a scattergun technique while looking for people to blame after Arsenal lost ground near the top of the Premiership.

Strongarm tactics by Middlesbrough, and the decisions of the referee Mike Riley, notably when he awarded a penalty and sent off Phillipe Senderos, were the chief targets of the Arsenal manager.

Riley is accustomed to criticism and unlikely to react, but Mark Viduka did not appreciate when Wenger accused him of elbowing Kolo Toure.

Viduka said yesterday: “There is no way I deliberately went to hit him.

“In fact, I was surprised I got booked.

“My elbow was up, but I was shielding myself more than anything, I felt him come barging in and I caught him accidentally. I was very apologetic.

“I’m not really a dirty type of player. If something happens it is usually by accident. Somebody kicks you sometimes and it sticks in the back of your mind but I didn’t have a reason to go for him or anything like that.

“I wouldn’t go out to deliberately hurt a fellow professional.

“I respect Arsene Wenger very highly as a coach and manager and he’s got his opinion. But he wasn’t out there and maybe didn’t see what happened.”

Boro boss Gareth Southgate backed his Australian striker: “Yes he led with his arm and caught Toure but I know Mark, I played with him and against him and he is not a dirty player.”

Middlesbrough were similarly dismissive of Wenger’s claim that Julio Arca should have been sent off for a challenge on Cesc Fabregas.

In fact, Senderos’s dismissal for a “professional foul” when Yakubu was bearing down on goal is far more worthy of debate at the highest level.

Senderos’s untidy challenge on the striker was arguably outside the area, but Riley’s decision to award a penalty was understandable and Arsenal were duly punished when Yakubu scored from the spot.

Whether it was right Arsenal should have played the remainder of the game with 10 men is something worthy of consideration by FIFA.

Wenger said: “All I am saying is the professional foul does not exist. What is the difference between a foul on the edge of the box and the middle of the park?

“Once he gave the penalty did he have a choice? I don’t think Senderos wanted to make a foul that is why it was harsh, but what can I do now? ”

Arsenal responded impressively after a timely intervention by skipper Thierry Henry. Henry said: “When Philippe got sent off I told the others to concentrate on our game and not give up.

“We could not argue too much about the decision because we had other things to concentrate on. But did I think it was a penalty? No.”

Henry backed up his words with his 12th goal against Middlesbrough in recent seasons, beating Brad Jones with great precision at the end of a move that swept the length of the pitch.

Like Boro they remain unbeaten in 2007, but Manchester United and Chelsea now look out of reach.

“It is mathematically possible to win the title because we are showing the right sort of dynamism and spirit,” said Henry.

“People questioned our character and desire but it is there and that is what you need to play for Arsenal.”

Opta Fact: Boro have kept just two clean sheets in their 24 Premiership clashes with Arsenal.

Opta Fact: Arsenal have come from behind to claim 15 points this season, more than any other side.