Arsene Wenger: 'Robin van Persie deserved a red card'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is adamant that Mike Dean should have sent off Robin van Persie during his side's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

The Dutchman grabbed the opener against his former club as United went top of the table with a 2-1 win over the Gunners in a game that saw Jack Wilshere shown a red card for a second bookable offence in the second half.

However, Wenger feels that Van Persie's reckless first-half challenge on Bacary Sagna should have resulted in his dismissal.

"If he sends Wilshere off he has to take Van Persie off too," said Wenger.

The Frenchman also believes that Patrice Evra deliberately overreacted to Wilshere's tackle.

When quizzed on that subject, he responded: "Of course. He has 10 years [of experience] in the Premier League."

Arsenal travel to Schalke 04 in the Champions League on Tuesday.