Arsene Wenger wants Jack Wilshere protection

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has accused referee Anthony Taylor of not giving midfielder Jack Wilshere the necessary protection during their win at Sunderland.

The Gunners recorded a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light on Saturday thanks to a Santi Cazorla goal, in a game that saw Carl Jenkinson sent off for the away side.

Wilshere was forced off early in the second half, and Wenger was furious that the referee did not provide the England international with more protection.

Asked if he was happy with some of the tackling on show, Wenger said: "No, I wasn't, especially on Jack. I was a bit frustrated because I thought many times, Jack didn't get the free kick he deserved.

"The referee let two or three things go that I thought were fouls on Jack. I just want the referee to give a foul when it's a foul. I don't want any special protection.

"The referee is not a bodyguard, he is just a referee and you want him just to give a foul when it's a foul."

Wilshere recently returned from 17 months out of action through injury.