London - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed on Friday that goal-line officials serve next to no purpose, saying: "They should buy a seat for them, and give them a good book!"

Wenger saw his side let a 3-0 lead slip to draw 3-3 at home to Anderlecht in the Champions League in mid-week, which prevented them from rubber-stamping their progress to the last 16.

While Wenger accepted that his team only had themselves to blame, he criticised one of the goal-line officials for allowing Anthony Vanden Borre's first goal for Anderlecht to stand even though he was offside.

"I do not know what the guys behind the line are paid for," Wenger told a press conference. "That is a general feeling shared by everyone who watches football. They should buy a seat for them, and give them a good book!"