Midfielder Jack Wilshere has criticised the performance of referee Craig Pawson after Arsenal lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final.
Goals from Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva ensured that City registered a comfortable win at Wembley Stadium, and Arsenal have come in for fierce criticism over the level of their performance.
However, while acknowledging that the Gunners were second best to Pep Guardiola's side, Wilshere has claimed that Arsenal have reason to feel aggrieved by a number of decisions from the officials.
Wilshere feels that a foul should have been awarded against Aguero for a nudge on Shkodran Mustafi - despite minimal contact having been made - while the England international has suggested that Kompany's second was offside, despite replays showing that Leroy Sane was not interfering with play.
The 25-year-old has also claimed that Fernandinho deserved a second yellow card for a foul on him during the first half, although it appeared that Wilshere attempted to instigate contact with the Brazilian.
On Instagram, Wilshere said: "Hard to put into words my emotions about yesterday. City are a good team and deserved to win yesterday. A lot of people have had their say on us and we have to accept criticism when we lose.
"That being said I can't accept some of the decisions that went against us yesterday. Whatever you say about the first goal, it's a foul. The second goal is offside. There should have been a second yellow in the first half.
"Yes, this happens in football but it's still hard to accept and people will say we are looking for excuses but these are facts."
On Thursday night, the two teams will meet in a Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
Darren Plant
