Monday 8 February 2016 08:17, UK
Mathieu Flamini was fortunate to avoid a red card for a dangerous challenge in Arsenal's 2-0 win at Bournemouth, according to Graeme Souness.
With the game still scoreless just eight minutes into the encounter at the Vitality Stadium, Flamini seemed to tackle Bournemouth's Dan Gosling with two feet off the ground, but referee Kevin Friend only brandished a yellow card, much to the bemusement of the Bournemouth players.
The Gunners went on to secure a vital three points in the quest for their first Premier League crown in 12 years, and Souness insisted they were given a helping hand by lenient officiating.
"He is a very lucky boy," Souness said. "He is reckless and has two feet off the ground. The referee has a perfect view of it. You can see the reaction of the Bournemouth players.
"In the modern era, that is a sending off. How the referee doesn't see that is beyond me.
"If you look at the referee afterwards he actually says 'he won the ball'. I don't care how you won the ball, it is a red card. He risked damaging Dan Gosling badly there. He could have broken his leg."
Questioned about the challenge after the match, Flamini denied any intent to injure Gosling, and was adamant he won did nothing wrong.
"I was focused on the ball, we went together to compete," Flamini said. "Correct decision from the referee."
Cherries' boss Eddie Howe disagreed, and was left dumbfounded by Friend's decision.
"I thought it was a red, I had a very good view, it looked two footed and potentially off the floor. I've only seen it once but my initial view is definite red card," Flamini
"For me it wasn't a difficult decision, I felt that the two-footed tackle has been outlawed, and it was a red card."
