Wenger: “Premier League referees stuck in dark times”

*The match between Arsenal and Chelsea takes place at 2:45 a.m. on January 4 (Hanoi time).

"For me, they need to serve the game the way we serve the game and try to make the football lovers in the stands have positive emotions," Arsene Wenger said in a press conference before Arsenal's match against Chelsea.

Wenger has been charged by the FA with using inappropriate language towards referees after his side were awarded an 89th-minute penalty against West Brom. Referee Mike Dean's decision left Arsenal with a 1-1 draw.

"The way referees behave now is not suitable for 2018, where someone calls a player and says for half a minute or a minute: 'Hey, you have to behave properly'. And then it's over. That's not the rhythm of a modern society. People want sharp and sharp actions and referees have to make that happen," Wenger said.

"The story of one person saying to another: 'If you don't do well, I'll punish you' has been going on since the 1950s. Come on, stop wasting time. Does that help the game? No, nothing happens. The spectators in the stands don't want to see that. They want the referees to say: 'Come on, get used to it and keep playing'. That's our responsibility. We don't live in dark times," the veteran French coach continued.

Arsenal are currently sixth in the Premier League with 38 points from 21 games. They are six points behind fourth-placed Liverpool but have played one game less. Wenger has frequently complained about refereeing in recent games. He believes that in addition to the West Brom game, Arsenal have also suffered from refereeing decisions in games against Stoke, Watford and Man City.

Handball decisions have become increasingly difficult for referees in the Premier League but that could soon come to an end as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology is set to be trialled in 20 matches this season.

"It's an inevitable trend because the referee can be helped and be more effective. If someone up front wants to do it early, he should do it quickly. It's better for him not to go down to the touchline and look at the screen and the crowd in the stands freeze until he makes a decision. That's not what we want. I'm against it," Wenger said.