Keegan lets rip at 'biased linesman'
Kevin Keegan launched a verbal attack on the referee’s assistant who got Manchester City skipper Ali Benarbia sent off at Highbury tonight and promised to give him zero marks for his performance.
Benarbia, who had been booked after 22 minutes for a foul on Patrick Vieira, disputed a decision with six minutes remaining. The linesman called across referee Clive Wilkes who then brandished a second yellow card followed by the inevitable red.
“I felt the linesman was so biased,” said City boss Keegan. “The players know if they say something they will get sent off and he’d been booked, so I can’t argue with it, although I don’t know what he said.
“I don’t think this linesman even knew there was another team playing tonight - that is my honest opinion and I shall give him absolutely zero on his marks because that is exactly what I felt he was worth.
“His job tonight was to try and be fair to both sides but every time something happened in that corner – and there were quite a few incidents there - it was as if he had arthritis in one of his arms, and he could only point the flag in one direction.
“I just found him absolutely annoying, so I can understand why Ali said something. But he got sent off and we lose him for one game – and we will miss him.”
Keegan was also honest enough to admit his side had not been quite good enough to get a result at Highbury and stop Arsenal climbing to the top of the Premiership.
“It was nearly a good performance but we gave away a lot of possession in our own half,” said Keegan. “At least we tried to play them at football.
“There are two ways to play at Highbury. Either you shut up shop and hope to survive, or you come and play them at football and we had a go at them. But they are an excellent side and Thierry Henry in particular was outstanding.
Benarbia isn’t the only player in a spot of bother, however. Arsenal’s Henry lifted his shirt after scoring the winning goal to display a message of congratulations for a new-born baby, and faces a fine under new guidelines.
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was naturally delighted to see his Champions back at the top of the table, especially after they equalled a record of scoring in 44 consecutive top-flight matches, although he also praised City and predicted a top-10 finish for them.
“We wanted to win to get to the top of the table but it was a tough game because they are a tenacious team,” said Wenger. “They are very good technically, they keep the ball well and are dangerous, and in my opinion they will finish in the top 10.
“But we had 15 or 16 shots on goal and Sylvain Wiltord and Henry are on fire. The record is witness to the great ambition of this team and their mental strength. They want to win every time.”
