Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was adamant the penalty awarded to Watford should not have been given during his side’s disappointing defeat at Vicarage Road.

The Gunners slipped to a tame 2-1 loss against Marco Silva’s team after going into the break 1-0 up following a headed goal from Per Mertesacker on 39 minutes.

Brazilian Richarlison went down in the box after tangling with Hector Bellerin. But there was minimal contact. Troy Deeney stepped up to slot the penalty home before Tom Cleverely grabbed a last-minute winner.

Speaking after the loss that saw the Hornets move to fourth place Wenger said: “It wasn’t a penalty.

“The decision was wrong and that’s it.

“It was at a moment in the game where it was absolutely important.

“We missed many chances to win the game. We should have won the game.”