Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Karl Henry has accused Arsenal’s players, and in particular Tomas Rosicky, of going down easily in his sides 1-0 defeat to the Gunners at the weekend.
The midfielder was sent of for a challenge on the Czech playmaker and feels that a combination of Rosicky diving and Arsenal players putting pressure on the referee Andre Mariner was to blame for his dismissal.
I thought they were lucky getting a goal and lucky the referee sent me off, which was an absolute joke,” Henry declared.
“I have gone in to win it, Rosicky has gone across me to shield the ball. By that time, I have already gone to ground.
“One of their players has come in, (Thomas) Vermaelen flying in and whoever else, trying to get me sent off.
“I certainly wouldn’t be running over, trying to get a player sent off.
“I have seen it again and I have nicked the ball. It was never a red card, it is an absolute disgrace.”
Controversy has surrounded the Arsenal side for most of this season, with manager Arsene Wenger reacting to midfielder Aaron Ramsey’s horrific leg break by claiming that teams deliberately go into tackles heavier against his side.
Henry, though, feels that Arsenal are the guilty party in many instances, heading to ground even when a tackle is fairly made.
He is up and running around two minutes later, absolutely fine,” the 27-year-old said.
“That is what they do here, I don’t think it’s pretty.
“Their players moan when they get tackled when they get hit hard and so does Arsene Wenger.
“Here in particular, Arsenal moan a lot, their players go down like a sack of spuds.
“They get hit hard like any other clubs do and we are hearing about it for weeks and weeks.
“They play good football here, and are a great side, but it is not nice to see.
“We love Arsenal’s great football, but when they are rolling around getting people sent off, it makes you not want to see them do so well.”
Wolves take on Stoke at home next weekend and are currently 11/8 favourites with Stan James to win.