Arsenal beat Birmingham 2-1 in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday after goals from Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh overturned an early City lead, but it was England’s hope for the future Jack Wilshere who did himself – and manager Arsene Wenger – no favours by launching into a horror tackle on Nikola Zigic, reminiscent of Nigel De Jong that saw him receive his marching orders at the end of the game.

If Wenger had had his way earlier, his latest talent from the youth setup at Arsenal would have been banned from the game for six months or more for his tackle. The Frenchman had earlier called for the game’s hatchet men like De Jong to be weeded out from the sport and has consistently complained about the rough treatment his players receive from opposing teams.

Wenger had no choice to but admit that Wilshere deserved his red card although the Frenchman also insisted that his midfielder was not a dirty player and meant no harm. The Gunners boss claimed that the England international had simply mistimed his tackle.

He said: “Jack mistimed his tackle and got a red card, which he deserved.

“He has acknowledged he deserved it, but he did not spend his whole game trying to kick people, he was one of the best players on the pitch today.

“It was more of frustration and did not want to hurt the player, but we do not complain about the red card.

“I think he mistimed his tackle, his first touch let him down. He didn’t complain about it.

“There was no intention to harm the player. He is not a dirty player.

“Wilshere will be suspended for three games and will be punished.”

Wilshere defended his foul play and graciously accepted that he was in the wrong.

“I just want to say that I mistimed the challenge on Zigic and accept that I deserved to be sent off.” Wilshere said.

“I have no complaints about getting the red card and I will learn from this. I’m missing three matches now which I’m really disappointed about.”

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish felt that Zigic was fortunate to have come away without a serious injury and highlighted that the incident showed how mistimed tackles in the sport nowadays have great potential for real harm.

He said: “It was a bad tackle and if he does not get a red card for that, then we pack our bags and go home.

“Zigic was lucky not to get a very badly damaged leg.

“We have had to put up with the Eduardo stuff for the last couple of years, and it is scandalous.

“It was a mistimed tackle from Martin Taylor and caused terrible damage to Eduardo — but that tackle could have caused Zigic a lot of damage.

“We know Jack Wilshere is not a dirty player, but it does show you players can mistime in this hurly-burly game in football. Everybody has to recognise that.

“It was a bad tackle and it was the correct decision.”

Tags: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Birmingham City, English Premier League, Jack Wilshere, Match Highlights, Match Review, Nikola Zigic