Arsene Wenger, Ronald Koeman Comment After Everton's 2-1 Win over Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has directed some of the blame for Tuesday evening's 2-1 defeat at Everton toward referee Mark Clattenburg, but Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has laughed off the Frenchman's comments.  

Wenger accused Clattenburg of repeatedly handing his side "really unlucky" decisions after a contentious call from the official led to Ashley Williams' 86th-minute winner from a corner, per the Guardian's Andy Hunter:

"

Of course, it was no corner. You can see it was no corner. I am really disappointed in Mr Clattenburg. He is in a really good position to see it and it is not the first time we are really unlucky with his decisions.

The referee made his decision, but that does not explain why we did not head the ball. We have to look at ourselves. We started well and after that lost a bit of urgency. We were a bit too comfortable and Everton made it very physical.

I believe they disturbed our game and we created less. In the end unfortunately we didn't take our chance or two. They played a cup game. That is a big difference from what I saw recently from them. I don't think they can repeat that in every game.

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The Gunners chief appeared to suggest hosts Everton played outside their normal means just for his side, although Koeman will care little for semantics after three points lifted his side to seventh in the Premier League.

Koeman has now won twice, drawn five times and lost five times in his 12 career meetings against Wenger, per Opta's Orbinho, although he's unbeaten against his Arsenal counterpart at home. Upon hearing Wenger's post-match comments, Koeman responded with ridicule:

An Alexis Sanchez opener put the north London visitors ahead at Goodison Park before Seamus Coleman netted an equaliser on the brink of half-time, and Arsenal ultimately paid the price for their inconsistency.

Wenger added physicality was an issue for his side, per ESPN FC's Ben Dinnery:

His decision to bring Olivier Giroud and Alex Iwobi on in place of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after 71 minutes was a critical change

Despite Wenger's protests, WhoScored.com showed it was Everton who enjoyed more shots on goal—14 to Arsenal's nine—as well as boasting the greater share of shots on target, accumulating four to the opposition's three.

Koeman concurred in his reaction that physicality was a key component to turning the tide in favour of the Toffees:

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The key was how we played after 20 minutes. That was the team what we like to see, what the fans like to see – you go face to face, aggression, pressing, playing football and go for it.

How we start the game, you don’t win any game like that because the team was nervous. I can understand a lack of confidence but we played every ball back, we make it difficult for each other and then it is no chance against Arsenal. They are too good.

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Koeman conceded his side needed "a bit of luck," but in the end, any complaints lobbied against refereeing decisions have a limited lifespan due to the fact any team is just as likely to find themselves on the receiving end of a misjudged call at any time.

As it turned out, Tuesday evening saw Arsenal punished for their inability to kill the game off prior to Everton's late second, continuing what's already been a tough week for Wenger and his men:

Arsenal can still end Week 16 second in the Premier League if Liverpool don't beat Middlesbrough by more than three goals on Wednesday, but Chelsea can stretch their lead to a substantial six points.

Wenger lost out on this occasion, but Koeman is within his rights to respond when one considers the Arsenal chief doesn't tend to be as vocal when his side find themselves on the beneficial end of an incorrect decision.