Dec 31, 2017 at 4.30pm UK at ​The Hawthorns
Attendance: 26,223
West BromWest Bromwich Albion
1-1
Arsenal
Rodriguez (89' pen.)
Evans (34'), Brunt (59'), Dawson (82')
FT(HT: 0-0)
McClean (83' og.)
Mustafi (58'), Wilshere (88'), Cech (95')

Dermot Gallagher defends referee Mike Dean after Arsene Wenger criticism

Gallagher defends Dean after criticism
© Offside
Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher defends referee Mike Dean, despite claiming that he made a mistake in Arsenal's fixture with West Bromwich Albion.

Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has defended referee Mike Dean after he was criticised for a decision made in Arsenal's visit to West Bromwich Albion.

In the final minute of normal time, West Brom equalised from the spot after Dean adjudged Calum Chambers to have handled the ball inside the penalty area, but replays showed that the defender's contact was unintentional.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was unhappy with the decision and allegedly became involved in a heated discussion with Dean after the match, but Gallagher says that the experienced referee does not deserve the remarks that have come his way.

Gallagher told Sky Sports News: "I actually think enough has been said about this, and the referee has suffered enough from what has been said in the newspapers. It's not a penalty, you know it isn't, I know it isn't, I think everyone knows this now, including the referee, so I'd rather just move on.

"In defence of Mike Dean - and I say in his defence because I think he's been a bit battered in recent days, and a bit unmercifully I think if you look at that from Mike Dean's view, down the barrel, he thought Chambers' arm came up, and that's what he went on.

"He makes his decision on what he sees. He saw that little movement, and that's what he reacted to. Unfortunately, he judged it wrong, but that's all it was, one mistake."

Wenger faces the prospect of a stadium ban after his exchange with Dean at The Hawthorns.

Arsene Wenger gestures during the Premier League game between Arsenal and Manchester United on December 2, 2017
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