Retired referee Dermot Gallagher has admitted Arsenal should have had a penalty against Brentford, but only one.

Jon Moss waved away four strong penalty claims for Arsenal against Brentford at the weekend, in another refereeing performance that frustrated supporters.

Ben White and Alexandre Lacazette were brought down in the box within seconds of each other in the first half, before Yoane Wissa blocked a shot with his arm, but nothing was given for the three incidents.

In the second half, substitute Nicolas Pepe was brought down as he dribbled past a Brentford man in the box. Again, the referee ignored the appeals.

Speaking after the game, former referee Dermot Gallagher defended the first two decisions, suggesting it was just a case of both sets of players reaching for the ball. But he disagreed with Jon Moss on the handball call.

“I think it’s a penalty,” Gallagher said. “I can understand the referee not giving it on the field because of where he’s stood and where Wissa goes in.

“But when you see that, on the replay, you only have to look at one replay. His arm’s up, his arm’s out, [the] ball’s going directly towards goal, [and he’s] stopped it with his arm. I think penalty.”

As for the Pepe penalty claim, Gallagher also believed Moss was correct not to award that one.

Arsenal managed to get the win anyway, but they’ll just have to hope top-four doesn’t come down to a tight goal difference battle.

As things stand, Manchester United are on +10, West Ham United are on +11, Arsenal are on +10, Wolves are on +5, and Spurs are on 0. So you wouldn’t rule out goal difference playing a part later on.