Arsene Wenger owes Raheem Sterling apology for 'dive' jibe to deflect from Arsenal inadequacies - Alan Shearer

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Tom Doyle6 November 2017

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger owes Raheem Sterling an apology after suggesting that the Manchester City attacker "dives well", according to Alan Shearer.

Arsenal slipped 12 points behind Premier League leaders City after losing 3-1 at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Wenger venting his fury after the game over two of City's goals.

After Kevin De Bruyne had put City 1-0 up, Sterling won a penalty after being barged over by Nacho Monreal to allow Sergio Aguero to double the hosts' lead from the spot.

Alexandre Lacazette struck from off the bench to put pressure on City, though Gabriel Jesus restored their two-goal cushion while Arsenal players appealed in vain as David Silva escaped the offside flag during the build-up.

Wenger was unable to hide his frustration at the "unacceptable" manner of the defeat, and accused Sterling of being an accomplished diver in order to fool referees.

However, former England and Newcastle captain Shearer has called on Wenger to apologise to Sterling for suggesting that the Three Lions forward cheated to earn City's spot-kick.

"There is no way that was a dive and it was a penalty," he told Match of the Day 2.

"It's one thing for Wenger to deflect from his team's inadequacies; it's another to question someone's integrity and be wrong.

"I think he owes Sterling an apology."

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Wenger had told Match of the Day: "I believe it was no penalty. It was a provoked penalty by Sterling. We know that he dives well - he does that very well.

"And the third goal was offside. I am very upset because at 2-1 we were in the game and looked like we could score. The third goal was the killer.

"It is unfortunate that the game finished the way it finished. I am disappointed. You can accept it if City win in a normal way, they are a good side, but the way it happened is unacceptable.

"It is the second time in two years. We conceded two goals offside last year and we concede a goal here offside again."

Opposite number Pep Guardiola rebuffed Wenger's complaints by referring to the Gunners' contentious win at Burnley last season.

Guardiola said on Sky Sports: "We won in the best way and we deserved by far. The chances we created and the few chances we conceded.

"They tell me it was offside and I don't like to win in that way but sometimes Arsenal win in Burnley, 0-1, 96th minute, with a hand, so sometimes it is like this."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.