Fletcher Rues Wenger Comments

Darren Fletcher believes he is being singled out by referees as a result of comments made by Arsene Wenger earlier in the season.

The Arsenal boss did not name the 25-year-old directly but accused Manchester United of 'anti-football' after their 2-1 win over the Gunners at Old Trafford in September, before adding his disbelief that 'a certain player' had gone unpunished after numerous fouls.

Fletcher insists the accusation that he is a dirty player is now coming back to haunt him after he was penalised for a soft foul on Chelsea's Ashley Cole on Sunday. To his manager's ire replays showed the Scotland international won the ball.

The decision was to prove pivotal as John Terry headed home from the free-kick to hand the Blues a 1-0 win that takes them five points clear at the top of the table.

"It was clearly not a foul," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"I knew at the time and I have watched it again on the replay. I back-heeled the ball and Cole just jumps up in the air and the ref gives a foul.

"I think we are starting to see Mr Wenger's comments starting to influence referees which is a shame really.

"Now we have to raise our game and ensure these decisions are not affecting the game."