Shkodran Mustafi was wrongly denied penalty, says Dermot Gallagher

Arsenal were dispatched by Premier League champions Man City in Unai Emery’s first game of the season.

Goals either side of half-time from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva gave Pep Guardiola’s centurions a winning start to the new season.

However, ex-Prem ref Dermot Gallagher says City’s win was made easier after getting away with a contentious incident which should have seen Arsenal awarded a penalty.

As an Arsenal corner was delivered, Benjamin Mendy appeared to pull Shkodran Mustafi to the ground inside the area. The Gunners defender appealed with referee Michael Oliver for a penalty, but nothing was given.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Gallagher claimed Arsenal should have been handed a route back into the game.

“I think if Michael (Oliver) sees the pictures we see, he would give a penalty because there are two issues for me. Mendy doesn’t look at the ball, he isn’t interested in the ball and he grabs hold of the player to haul him down,” said Gallagher.

“But as the ball came to (Granit) Xhaka in front, Michael only sees him out of the corner of his eye and he can’t be sure whether it is a foul.

“It’s easy for us but at that point, it’s not so easy for the referee because he has so much to concentrate on.”