Wigan accuse Arsenal of being sore losers

Arsenal have been accused of being sore losers by giant-killers Wigan Athletic, according to a report.

Wigan lifted themselves five points clear of relegation zone with a 2-1 defeat of Arsenal proving that their shock win over Manchester United was no flash in the pan.

But having been denied of cementing third position by going eight points clear, the frustrated Gunners were apparently in no mood to be gracious in defeat.

In fact Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was seen venting his frustrations at Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi for his delaying tactics which earned him a booking towards the end of the match.

Al Habsi hit back at Arsenal accusations by saying: “When I play football I do not cheat. I used a tactic to control and contain the game.
 
“It’s normal when you play in big-pressure matches to control the game to take the pressure off your team.
 
“It’s very important for me as a goalkeeper and my team-mates in defence to do this in order to help our side.
 
“The ref is there to see everything and if he’s happy then so am I. I have to do it for my team.”

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But what was more disconcerting for Wigan was Gunners captain Robin van Persie apparent refusal to shake hand with his counterpart Gary Caldwell while Wenger seemed to storm down the tunnel without greeting his opposition number Roberto Martinez, according to the Daily Mirror.

Caldwell said: “I think to be at a great club like Arsenal you have to be a bad loser - but I also think you need to have a bit of dignity at the end.
 
“When we got beat 4-0 by Arsenal at the DW Stadium, I shook everybody’s hand and I expect the same back.

“He’s obviously unhappy - when I went to shake his hand, he threw me away and then just gave me a wee pat, which is disappointing."

Ironically Van Persie had been ungracious to a fellow professional who admired his skills and voted for the Dutch international who is a front-runner for the PFA's Player of the Year award.

He added: “Robin van Persie is a fantastic player because he has that will to win, and you wouldn’t want to change that part of him, but it’s just disappointing from my point of view.

“I suppose other greats wouldn’t have done that, but he’s a great player and a fantastic ambassador for Arsenal. These moments happen when you’re disappointed at the performance and the result, but it was much about nothing."

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Referring to the incident where they were seen squaring towards the end of the match, Caldwell said:

“I just tried to block him off because I knew our keeper (Ali Al Habsi) was coming to collect a through-ball and he gave me a push.

"These things happen in football, you just get on with it.

“I’ve been in the same situation myself - you lose games, you’re bitterly disappointed and you show that in a manner of different ways.

“Actually I voted for him as player of the year, and I’m sure he will go on to win the award.”
 

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