Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross deserved to be sent off in their Premier League encounter this afternoon.

Shawcross put in a strong tackle on Laurent Koscielny that earned the Stoke skipper a yellow card in a match that also saw Michael Owen react angrily to a challenge on him by Mikel Arteta.

Shawcross was booed throughout the game due to his leg-breaking tackle on Aaron Ramsey three years ago, and Wenger admitted that he may be inclined to think worse of the defender's tackle due to his personal views on the player.

"It looked to me [like it should have been a red card] but I have to look at it again as I am maybe not completely objective when it comes to Ryan Shawcross," Wenger said.

"That is why I will be a bit cautious with my statement but I have not seen the Michael Owen incident."

The win puts Arsenal within a point of both Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in the race for the final Champions League spot.