“I regret everything. I should have shut up, says Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger apologised after he was sent off and then shoved the fourth official during Arsenal’s dramatic 2-1 win over Burnley, but he could still face a significant ban. 

Having taken the lead through Shkodran Mustafi’s first goal for the club on Sunday, Arsenal saw Granit Xhaka dismissed for a needless foul and then nearly imploded as Andre Gray struck from the spot following Francis Coquelin’s foul on Ashley Barnes. With their Premier League title hopes facing another major setback and the clock ticking down, Wenger was sent off for rowing with fourth official Anthony Taylor and the Frenchman then pushed Taylor, which will likely see him punished by the Football Association. 

Arsenal went on to snatch the points as Alexis Sanchez scored a penalty with virtually the last kick when Laurent Koscielny was caught in the head by Ben Mee’s raised foot. Wenger, who was furious Coquelin’s challenge was ruled a spot-kick, had calmed down by the time he faced the media. “I regret everything. 

I should have shut up. I apologise for that,” Wenger said. “I haven’t spoken to the fourth official yet because I had to do this press conference. Look, it was nothing bad, I said something you hear every day in football. “Overall nine times out of 10 you are not sent to the stands for that, but if you are, you are. I should have shut up.” Wenger, who saw his side move up to second place, eight points behind leaders Chelsea, was less forgiving about Xhaka’s second red card for Arsenal. 

  

Burnley boss Sean Dyche onthe other hand was in a less sanguine mood after his team were condemned to their ninth defeat in 10 away league games this season. Blaming the officials’ failure to rule Koscielny offside before he was fouled for the penalty, Dyche fumed: “You can’t believe the decision. “He had just put his flag up because he thinks he’s offside, then the ref gives the penalty and now the linesman has to be brave. “He’s offside, simple as that. It’s really disappointing. “You need the officials to do well. I don’t think at this level you can get that wrong. “It leaves a bad taste in your mouth' - culled from Vanguard