Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has dismissed suggestions from Mark Hughes that Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere should have been sent off against Southampton.

During the closing stages of the fixture at the Emirates Stadium, Wilshere pulled the shirt of Jack Stephens to prevent the Saints defender from launching a counter-attack.

Stephens was shown a red card for shoving Wilshere over, and Hughes claimed that Wilshere should have received the same punishment for his part in the incident and pushing which followed.

However, Gallagher has supported the decision of the referee, who opted to only caution the Gunners player for the initial tug of the shirt.

Gallagher told Sky Sports News: "He has stopped a promising attack, that is all Wilshere is guilty of and that is a yellow-card offence."

Arsenal held on to register a 3-2 victory over the south coast club in North London.