Wenger insists goal should not have stood

Hector Bellerin was so dazed after being knocked out in the process of Chelsea’s goal he did not know they had scored, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said.

Gunners full-back Bellerin was caught by Marcos Alonso’s trailing arm as the pair jumped to meet a loose ball which has looped up off the crossbar.

Alonso got there first to nod in but Wenger felt the goal should have been ruled out.

“Of course it was a foul,” he said. “Was he completely knocked out? He didn’t know the score at the time. He didn’t see the goal.

“But he [referee Martin Atkinson] allowed the goal and after that it was much more difficult for us.

“One of the peculiarities of the game today is that referees are much more severe with tackles on the ground and let much more go with elbows in the face.

“It’s not only today but in many games. Yet it’s more dangerous to hit the head.”

Wenger was frustrated with his side’s inability to keep the ball, which he said cost his side dearly.

“I think we started well but after the goal it was much more difficult for us because Chelsea are very strong at defending and very good in transition on the counter attack,” Wenger said.

“We maybe were not good enough in possession. We lost many balls in positions where you cannot afford to lose it when you play against a team who are good on the counter attack.”