Arsene Wenger says he just wants referees to make the right decisions, after serving a three-match touchline ban for an altercation with Mike Dean.

Dean gave a penalty for “handball” against the Gunners in the New Year’s Eve match against West Brom. Wenger felt there was no way Calum Chambers could’ve avoided the ball hitting his arm, and most pundits/fans agreed.

Unfortunately, the way he expressed those feelings to the referee after the game earned him a three-match ban. Now the ban is over, journalists asked the manager about his thoughts on the situation at his pre-match press conference.

Mike Dean’s written report details what the 68-year-old said to him that day. He wrote: “He was very aggressive leaning towards me, pointing aggressively at me saying: ‘You’re not honest’ on numerous occasions. I replied: ‘So you’re calling me a cheat.’ He replied: ‘I maintain what I say, you’re not honest.’

“He then said: ‘You’ve done this to us many times before, you’re supposed to be professional, you’re a disgrace.’ He was then ushered out of the room by the West Brom safety officer.”

Mike Dean
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 31: Shkodran Mustafi (C) and Jack Wilshere (R) of Arsenal protest to Referee Mike Dean during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on December 31, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

I think most supporters probably share that exact sentiment on the 49-year-old’s refereeing. Plenty of videos float around of Dean celebrating goals or giving no-look cards. He seems to love the attention, and he gets it by giving decisions against Arsenal.

As Wenger mentions, referees have their own system of sanctions. So far, there are no reports of the FA taking any action on this incident, despite the referee admitting to Mike Riley he got the decision wrong.

You’d hope he at least got a talking to, but somehow I doubt it.