Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has described Graham Poll as an embarrassment following comments the former Premier League referee made this week.
Speaking on Setanta Sports' Football Matters, Poll backed up Howard Webb's decision to send off Emmanuel Adebayor against Liverpool - but it was his analysis of John Terry's red card at Everton that angered Wenger.
Poll, a former FIFA referee who retired in 2007, suggested officials could be influenced by the furore that comes with sending off the England captain.
"For me it was embarrassing when you listen to that," Wenger said. "They ask whether it was a sending-off or not. He says you have to consider that you are sending off the captain of the national team.
"What has that got to do with the rulebook? The rulebook doesn't look at passports. When you listen to that it is embarrassing for the referees.
"Is it a sending-off or not? Are you from England or not from England? Are you 17 or 30? It has nothing to do with that.
"It is a big concern when you hear the national number one referee talk like that."
Wenger admits his faith in referees has been tested by Poll's comments.
"I do not think (they are talking reputations into account) but when I hear statements like that, it makes you change your mind," the Frenchman added.
Wenger's attack came on the same day as news emerged of Cesc Fabregas being out for four months with a partial rupture of the medial knee ligament.
The Spaniard was injured by compatriot Xabi Alonso during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool, with Wenger admitting the setback means he is more likely to be active in the January transfer window.
"I am sure we can deal with it," said Wenger. "When he comes back he can help us to get over the line in the final months."
Wenger's options in midfield are now limited as Tomas Rosicky is out until at least March, while Gilberto Silva, Lassana Diarra and Alexander Hleb have been sold in the last year and Mathieu Flamini left on a free.
"It is a good opportunity to show we can deal with it and have strength," added Wenger, who insisted he had not received offers for Kolo Toure or Nicklas Bendtner, who have been linked with Manchester City and Spartak Moscow respectively.
Wenger still feels his side were treated harshly against Liverpool when Webb dismissed Adebayor, dishing out a second yellow card for a foul on Alvaro Arbeloa.
"I'm convinced that if we played 11 v 11 we would have won the game against Liverpool," Wenger added. "And I am still convinced after watching it again that it was the wrong decision to give a second yellow card (to Adebayor).
"Some people do not agree with that but I cannot see what Adebayor did wrong."
It means Adebayor is suspended for the Boxing Day clash against Aston Villa when Arsenal will look for revenge after Martin O'Neill's men defeated them at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger insists he will be preparing for the match like his players.
He said: "I don't believe the manager can last a long time if he doesn't live like a player. No Turkey for me."


arshavinsbarber : "...Was just wondering how nice "Arsenal" looks at the top of the table right about now - then you see there are no numbers beside and it hits home. Just hope this is the season... I still have a pic I took with the trophy i..." view full comment
Martin O'Neill wants to take Stewart Downing to Aston Villa and Manchester United are weighing up a move for Inter star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
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TEAMtalk looks at Manchester City's bid to sign John Terry for reported wages of £280,000 per week and feels it is only human he'd be tempted.
Read today's Column
smudger8 (Liverpool) : "...A friend of mine has it on good authority that Cesc Fabregas will be a Man Utd player next season - he's apparently disillusioned by the lack of quality signings and trophies at Arsenal! Should be an interesting summer!..." view full rumour

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Your Comments
liverpool_1986
"RZA1984 - yea i guess il just sit a wollow in the pity of my "clown" of a team sitting happy at the top of the table. Its a real struggle to deal with haha and just because it was a long ball that got thew goal against you doesnt mean its all we know. Your goal came from a pretty long ball from Nasri. But that doesnt make you a long ball team does it??"
GoonerSA (Arsenal fan)
"Haha Liverpool have to realise how much they are hated when even Man U fans are standing up for Arsenal slightly...I guess you will walk alone"
rza1984 (Manchester United fan)
"liverpool_1986- if u saying Arsenal sat back and defended after the sending off, how come Liverpool didnt have as much possesion before the sending off than they did after. Just admit it you clown your team is poor. Long balls is the only style of play liverpool know."
liverpool_1986
"RZA1984 IT may have escaped your notice but a lot of teams struggle when then opposition go down to 10 men. And that would include your precious arsenal at some point too. Because when they go down to 10 men they tighten up and sit behind the ball so its much harder to play through them. YOu MUPPEt hahaha"
macs1 (Manchester United fan)
"from what i saw, the adebayor incident was not a sending off at all, as much as i dislike him. arbeloa reacted like a little girl and it makes me hate liverpool even more. what gave me heart though is that an arsenal team playing not so well managed to hold liverpool with 10 men. that shows liverpools title credentionals right there. sure, they beat man utd earlier on in the season with a weak team, but we had a terrible start to the season. come may, its gotta be chelsea or man united, maybe even aston villa or arsenal. but not liverpool. "
ebonybrother (Liverpool fan)
"BP4200, I'm a little tired of this "Arsenal play beautiful football" thing. True, they play brilliantly at times, but how many times have they actually done that this season? 4 games out of 18, perhaps?"
as1982 (Manchester United fan)
"can't believe i actually agree with wenger if that is what poll actually said. Poll is a media hungry embarrassment. 3 yellows"
rza1984 (Manchester United fan)
"bexhillbeliever- old toilet how amusing, so where is this super stadium your owners promised ya?"
rza1984 (Manchester United fan)
"bexhillbeliever Posted Today @ 18:22- Our mob may cheat but they ain't a set of hypocrites who say diving shouldn't be allowed in english football and then bring out a book saying how much he hate's it and then carries on commiting the offence, like you say people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. liverpool_1986 it shows how poor Liverpool are if they couldn't take advantage of a side that went down to ten men and were playing better before that. I didn't see the whole match myself and what I saw from the highlights it was pretty even. "
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