Wenger criticizes refereeing after fifth defeat

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hit out at refereeing after his side slumped to their fifth Premiership defeat of the season against Newcastle United.

"The referee allowed more fouls, sent a player off for us and I don't know why," BBC Sport quoted Wenger as saying in a press conference after Saturday's 1-0 loss.

The FA Cup holders were reduced to ten men in the 58th minute when Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva received his marching orders after picking-up his second yellow card.

The hosts benefited of their numerical advantage as Nolberto Solano pinned the winner from a low drive eight minutes from time.

Wenger specifically accused Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer of playing an aggressive game and influencing the referee.

"We played well and I just believe we were not protected - every challenge in the air was a foul. We know Alan Shearer can do that in this country," he said.

But Newcastle assistant coach Dean Saunders rejected the Frenchman's charges and stressed his players just played an athletic game.

"It's the Premier League and we have got players in the team like Amdy Faye, Scott Parker and Alan Shearer who like tackling and like competing," he said.

"That's what we set out to do today, we set out to stop Arsenal playing. I don't think it was a nasty game."

After the defeat, Arsenal are placed sixth, 17 points adrift of defending champions Chelsea who top the standings with 43 points.