Dermot Gallagher: 'Raheem Sterling didn't dive for Manchester City penalty'

Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has dismissed Arsene Wenger's suggestion that Raheem Sterling dived to win a penalty for Manchester City.

During the second half of City's 3-1 win over Arsenal, Sterling won a penalty after a foul by Nacho Monreal, but Wenger claimed after the game that the winger "dives well".

However, Gallagher has insisted that the referee made the correct decision, and said that Wenger should be relieved that Monreal was not sent off for his part in the incident.

Gallagher told Sky Sports News: "Penalty. Sterling is in possession of the ball, Monreal comes across and barges into him. The damage is done when he barges into him so it is an upper-body challenge.

"Wenger would have been even more upset had he sent him off. You could argue that he is in on goal and hasn't made a clear attempt to play the ball. It could have been a red card, but it is definitely a penalty."

The defeat for Arsenal has left the North Londoners in sixth place in the top-flight standings.