Arsene Wenger: 'Referees protected like lions in the zoo'

Arsene Wenger has claimed that referees are protected like "lions in the zoo" following Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

The Gunners took the lead through Theo Walcott, but Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling scored in the second half to give the Citizens all three points.

Sane was shown to be marginally offside when he netted, while David Silva was in an offside position when Sterling scored the winner.

"It's very difficult to accept in a game of that stature," Wenger told BBC Sport.

"But, as it is well known, the referees are protected very well like the lions in the zoo, so we have to live with those decisions.

"I want them to be very well protected, and I want them to be safe, but if they could make the right decisions it would be even better."

The result sees Arsenal slip to fourth in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Chelsea.