Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger slams Uefa referee system
Wenger has seen his side lose four of their last six matches
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has branded Uefa's five-official system "useless" after his side were denied a penalty in defeat by Braga on Tuesday.
With the score at 0-0, Arsenal forward Carlos Vela was booked for diving after appearing to be fouled in the box.
Wenger, who believes the decision was a "turning point" in his side's 2-0 loss, said: "We have another proof that it is absolutely useless, this system."
The Frenchman claimed several fouls on Emmanuel Eboue went unpunished.
Wenger was dismayed by the inability of the five officials to award a spot-kick after Alberto Rodriguez slid in on Vela with 13 minutes left.
Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai instead summoned the Mexican to his feet before booking him for simulation.
"It is difficult to understand how we did not get a penalty," added Wenger. "The five referees is not an answer to the problem.
"The turning point was the penalty - I still cannot understand how Vela got a yellow card. It remains a complete mystery.
"The referee gave some surprising decisions tonight. It is hard to swallow."
Eboue was off the pitch receiving treatment following a heavy challenge when Matheus struck Braga's 83rd-minute opener.
Brazilian Matheus rounded off an injury-time counter-attack to double Braga's winning margin with the Ivory Coast right-back forced off with knee ligament damage.
Arsenal require victory in their final match against Partizan Belgrade to guarantee progress to the knockout stages.
Partizan, who lead their domestic championship but have lost all five of their matches in Group H, visit the Emirates stadium on 8 December.
Jadson's goal helped Shakhtar Donetsk to a 3-0 win over Partizan
Should Arsenal fail to win, they must match the result Braga achieve in their final match, away to group leaders Shakhtar Donetsk, to advance.
"Now we have to win our last game. The most important thing for us now is to qualify," said Wenger.
"It is good that Shakhtar play against Braga, but Shakhtar are the super favourites to win the group."
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