Arsène Wenger heaped more criticism on Didier Drogba last night by accusing the Ivory Coast striker of diving to win a crucial free kick in Chelsea’s 4-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.

Cesc Fàbregas was booked for making a diving gesture towards referee Phil Dowd after the Spanish midfield player was penalised for a foul on Drogba, but gained the backing of his manager. Alex scored from the resultant free kick to give Chelsea the lead.

“I don’t think it should have been given, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t win the header after that,” Wenger said. “The referee will make some decisions for you or against you, but we should still have cleared the ball from the cross.

“We live in a league now where the divers are rewarded. It is not right, but it is like that. It’s down to the referee to do his job.”

Guus Hiddink claimed that he did not clearly see the incident, but spoke up for Drogba’s general conduct after keeping faith in him despite his petulant outburst that marred Chelsea’s Champions League exit last week. The Dutchman also urged Uefa to take the emotionally charged atmosphere at Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Barcelona into account when deciding whether to punish Drogba later this week.

“The big issue was whether his conduct and behaviour was against the team’s interest, and it wasn’t,” Hiddink said. “The players of Chelsea and Barcelona respected each other during the game and there were no incidents during the game. Afterwards everyone has spoken and written as it should be. But he saw what he did wrong and apologised for it. We don’t know what is going to happen regarding that, but if the people at Uefa are football people rather than bureaucratic people they’ll take that into account – the fact that he apologised. I don’t expect much from that.”

Hiddink praised his players for securing Champions League football next season, the task he was set when appointed in February. “This showed that this team is one of the strongest in Europe,” he said. “That was a great reaction and I’m proud of them.

“Everyone knew after Wednesday it would be very difficult. It gives me and everyone inside the club great satisfaction, considering the situation in February.”