Wenger on why it was a penalty: Ramsey hurt his neck

Matt Stead

Arsene Wenger insisted Aaron Ramsey was focused on playing the ball, not the percentages, when he earned Arsenal’s match-winning penalty at Burnley.

The Gunners were heading for a goalless draw at Turf Moor when James Tarkowski tussled with the Wales international, whose tumble to the floor could hardly fail to catch referee Lee Mason’s eye.

Alexis Sanchez stroked home the penalty, remarkably the third time in a row Arsenal have beaten the Clarets in added-time – but there were mixed opinions on Ramsey’s contribution.

His manager saw nothing but a straightforward penalty, claiming the midfielder was unable to keep his footing.

“It looked from the outside like a clear penalty,” said the Frenchman, after seeing his side leapfrog rivals Tottenham to regain a top-four slot in the Premier League.

“When you speak to him he didn’t throw himself on the ground. He said he wanted to go back and flick on the ball. He was pushed in the back and he had a problem in his neck from the push. He said it was a very strong push.

“I can understand if they (Burnley) are disappointed with it but from the outside it looked a penalty.”