Arsene Wenger was involved in an amazing tunnel bust-up with Southampton boss Ronald Koeman.
Wenger confronted referee Lee Mason at the end of their 0-0 draw with Southampton at the Emirates that leaves them five points behind leaders Leicester.
Wenger shouted at Mason: ‘It’s always the same with you.’ Koeman saw the exchange and confronted Wenger before saying: ‘It’s always the same with you.’
Koeman added: ‘You had 10 chances to score and didn’t take any of them, instead you take it out on them (the officials).’
Remarkably the pair had shaken hands at the final whistle, but Wenger waited for Mason at the top of the tunnel.
Arsenal have now gone four games without a win in the Premier League, they have drawn a blank in their last three games and missed a host of chances against Southampton.
Wenger said: “It’s maximum frustrating. You rate the quality of the chances you create and the quality of the finishing.
“The quality of the chances we created today, considering it’s a Premier League game, was high. The quality of the finishing was poor. That differential explains the 0-0.”
The Gunners’ title challenge took another knock after this stalemate extended their winless run to four consecutive games courtesy of an inspired performance from Fraser Forster in Southampton’s goal.
The England international has now kept four consecutive clean sheets since returning to the side from a career-threatening knee injury.
This was supposed to be the season that Arsenal finally came of age to win their first league title since 2004, but they will not get there by playing like they did in the first half, when they were jeered off the pitch.
Mesut Ozil was in beguiling mood, but could not find a way past the imposing Saints keeper who denied him to keep the score level.
Southampton always provide stubborn resistance for this Arsenal team, with reminders of that memorable 4-0 victory at St Mary’s laced all over the pitch.
Shane Long was excellent again, a constant menace in attack after Charlie Austin, who scored the winner on his Southampton debut at Manchester United, was ruled out through injury.
Wenger sent for Theo Walcott midway through the second half and he was twice denied by Forster’s heroics as Arsenal stepped up the pressure.
Bizarrely Wenger opted to bring on midfielder Francis Coquelin for Mathieu Flamini in the final minutes of another frustrating night – before getting involved in an exchange of words with his Dutch counterpart after the game.
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