Okay! The officiating was poor and so was the keeper.
Fabianski made a couple of nice saves. Twice he dealt properly with Morten Gamst Pedersen's well taken free kicks, and still managed to keep the Gunners in the game by denying the Norwegian again after a clever defense splitting pass from Keith Andrews.
Maybe we are gradually becoming victims of our own success (remarkable comebacks), but personally I think the majority of the blame must be apportioned to Wenger and his makeshift defense.
In fairness, the Pole is doing the best he can, quite unfortunately his very best isn't good enough for the Arsenal. We need an experienced goal keeper full stop.
As expected, le boss realising the futility of his gamble and stubbornness, quickly rose to the defense of the embattled youngster who was undeniably at fault for Rovers two goals: "I think it was a foul for both goals," Wenger posited.
"When you stop the keeper from getting the ball then it is a foul. The referee cannot allow that.
There is no chance for the keeper to go for the ball.
"They had two players in front of him whose only purpose was to stop him getting the ball.
It's completely unfair.
Wenger blasted the referee Martin Atkinson for failing to protect the kid: "I am very dissapointed the referee let that happen. You have to give more protection to a goal keeper.
He had no chance.
When you jump in the air and somebody unbalances you what can you do?"
The boss maintained that Fabianski won't give up on the Arsenal: "I think he had a good game. It should affect the confidence of the referee," he retorted.
Meanwhile, former West Ham striker David di Michele has enjoined Fiorentina's goal keeper and pal Sebastien Frey to join a big club preferably Arsenal or Manchester United.
Firenzeviola.it interviewed the 35-year-old with the sole aim of obtaining his opinion concerning the highly anticipated exit of his £11m rated friend.
"There is another side to consider. In Italy a goal keeper is protected much more, but the case is different abroad. Their referees let it go (bookings) only on contacts with the keeper in the area, in case he moves to England he must adapt quickly to this habits.
"Sebastien is one of the best goalies not only in Italy, but across Europe. And both teams (Arsenal and Manchester United) will make a great purchase if they succeed.
And for him, the Gunners or the Red devils that will be a quantum leap," he opined.
