Arsene Wenger stands by his comments about the standard of refereeing in the Premier League as the manager seems to dig in for a fight.
Wenger’s stubbornness can rub fans the wrong way, but this time, he’s doubling down on a cause everyone can support: improving the standard of refereeing.
Having already been charged by the FA and asked to explain further comments, Wenger has no intention of backing down.
In his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference, he said that Eden Hazard had dived to win a penalty for Chelsea, and that he heard and seen much worse abuse aimed at referees.
“I 100 per cent stand by my comments,” Wenger said at his Friday morning press conference.
“I respect everybody’s opinion but I think it was a yellow card for Hazard, 100 per cent. I have a right to have my opinion, and I respect everybody’s opinion.
“I maintain what I said in the press conference – 100 per cent. I have nothing to change.
“I have been in England for 21 years and I try to serve this game with honesty and integrity and when I have something to say, I will say it. That will never change.
“We can talk and talk but I want to see games refereed by top quality people. I contributed a lot for referees to be at the top of their game because I had a huge influence on when they became professional.
“You imagine I am 21 years in the game with what I have seen and heard in the corridors from people, you understand I am surprised and shocked at having been charged.”
It’s possible that Wenger is intending to go out kicking and screaming.
While he’s contracted until 2019, this could turn out to be his final year at the club.
He’s never been shy to give his opinions about referees before, but this season has seen him go in hard.
After the 3-1 loss to Manchester City in November, Wenger accused Raheem Sterling of diving, on top of criticising Michael Oliver for missing an offside call.
Then, after the 1-1 draw with West Brom, he was enraged by Mike Dean’s decision to award a late penalty.
According to Wenger, Dean had “seen what he wanted to see”.
His open criticisms will inevitably lead to a ban, but we can’t say they aren’t without some merit.
It could be wishful thinking, but this season Wenger seems to have released his self-censor mechanism and if that’s the case, thing are only going to get more interesting from here.