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Hackett believes this Gunner was lucky not to see red on Sunday

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Image for Hackett believes this Gunner was lucky not to see red on Sunday

Former referee’s chief Keith Hackett believes Alexis Sanchez should have been given a red card for his challenge on Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter on Sunday.

Writing in his column for the Daily Telegraph, Hackett believed that not only did Sanchez merit being sent off, but Shkodran Mustafi should have been penalised for grappling with Steve Cook inside the Gunners penalty box. He said it was:

‘A dangerous challenge by Alexis Sanchez on Harry Arter. They are exactly the sort of tackles that we do not want in the game and must be dealt with firmly. I am clear that it should have been a red card.’

Hackett did however acknowledge that Bournemouth’s penalty when Nacho Monreal brought down Callum Wilson in the box was a very harsh decision.

He agreed with Arsene Wenger’s assessment that the penalty award was “soft” and was simply a “coming together” between two players which did not merit a foul. Wilson’s equalising goal could have changed the outcome of the game but goals from Theo Walcott and Sanchez in the second half sealed a 3-1 win.

Hackett also backed referee Mike Jones when turning down another penalty appeal by Bournemouth when the ball hit Monreal’s hand at close range in the second half.

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