Alan Shearer reckons that Arsene Wenger owes Raheem Sterling an apology after accusing him of diving for Manchester City’s penalty against Arsenal on Sunday.

Sterling earned City a penalty against the Gunners, which Sergio Aguero slotted home in the 50th minute at the Etihad. However, post-match, Wenger accused the 22-year-old of diving, which Shearer believes he should apologise for.

“There is no way that was a dive and it was a penalty,” said the Newcastle legend on Match of the Day 2.

“It’s one thing for Wenger to deflect from his team’s inadequacies, it’s another to question someone’s integrity and be wrong.

“I think he owes Sterling an apology.”

Sterling’s penalty was soft and he did go down a little easy. However, there was contract with Nacho Monreal, which by the letter of the law means it was warranted.

sterling kolasinac
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal and Raheem Sterling of Manchester City battle for possession during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

As much as I hate to side with Shearer, it does feel as if Wenger’s deflecting from the overall quality of Arsenal’s performance against City. Pep Guardiola’s side were better in almost every way and that wasn’t just down to the fact that this current Arsenal side seem to find it difficult to actually play football these days, it was because they’re the superior team.

Could the result have been different if the penalty wasn’t given? Sure. Especially if Alexandre Lacazette had still come on and scored his goal in the 65th minute. Maybe, the Gunners could have gotten a draw but that would have been a fantastic result considering the level Wenger’s side is currently playing at.

In the first half, City could have been two or three goals up. If we’re looking at ‘what if’s, perhaps we should consider that we were actually lucky not to get thumped.