Ian Wright was amazed that Arsenal weren’t awarded a penalty against Manchester United in Saturday’s Premier League meeting at the Emirates.

Arsenal were trailing 3-1 when Danny Welbeck was brought down by Mateo Darmian in the penalty area.

But neither referee Andre Marriner or the linesman saw fit to award Arsenal a spot-kick that might have set-up a very tense and interesting final ten minutes.

Ian Wright was understandably not happy that the decision didn’t go Arsenal’s way.

“How has he not given that? The linesman is there. Arsenal needed that, especially with the way they started,” he said, reports the Daily Star. “You’ve got to give that.”

Despite feeling that Arsenal should have had a penalty, Wright did also criticise the team for their early mistakes and lack of efficiency.

Ian Wright
Ian Wright wasn’t happy that refereeing decisions went against Arsenal in Saturday’s meeting with Manchester United.

“Arsene Wenger said it was a disastrous start for them with the mistakes they made,” said the former Arsenal forward. Arsenal had 33 shots compared to Manchester United’s eight but there were mistakes in that.

“I’m not taking anything away from United, and the way they played, but you don’t play a pass across the pitch like Koscielny did for the first goal. I think those goals could have been avoided by simply just switching on.”

In the end, Arsenal gave themselves too much work to do. The Gunners chasing a two-goal deficit resulted in a thrilling attacking display, but may have made Arsenal rush their opportunities in the final third.

As a result, several chances went begging, and Arsenal were left to rue the early mistakes from Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi.

The two defenders hadn’t conceded a goal in the Premier League this season when they had started together, but they made sure to change that record on the weekend.

Unfortunately, when the defenders make mistakes like that, it’s hard to win big games. However, some assistance from the referees would certainly have helped.