Arsene Wenger says Mathieu Flamini did not deserve a red card for rash tackle

By Gerard Brand

Sunday 7 February 2016 18:48, UK

Arsene Wenger says a red card for Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini "would have been harsh" following his tackle on Dan Gosling, and admits he initially thought the foul was going to go for Arsenal when he saw it live.

The Arsenal midfielder's two-footed challenge on the Bournemouth man earned him a yellow card from referee Kevin Friend, but Wenger's opposite number Eddie Howe says the decision to send off the Frenchman "would not have been a difficult one".

The incident came in the eighth minute with the score at 0-0, before Arsenal went on to win 2-0 thanks to goals from Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

And Wenger, who said upon second viewing that it was "certainly" a foul, added it would have been wrong to send Flamini off.

Wenger told Sky Sports: "Honestly, live I thought it was a foul for us, because I thought he was first to the ball.

"Was his foot high? Certainly, because the referee gave a foul. Was it a red card? I thought it would have been a bit harsh.

"He continued to play, which is good that he didn't get injured."

Wenger's Arsenal are back to within five points of Premier League leaders Leicester thanks to their first win in four games, and face the Foxes at the Emirates next Sunday at midday on Super Sunday.

And the Frenchman insists it's another must-win game for the Gunners as they look for their first Premier League title since 2004, but says favourite tags for either side are irrelevant.

"It's another must-win game, we play at home and have our fans behind us, and we play against one of the favourites for the Premier League.

"We have a week to prepare now, and we'll do that. Favourite doesn't have great meaning, the only thing you can say is it is a big game.

"It's a very important weekend for the Premier League because of other big games next week. So let's prepare, and win it."