McLeish urges FA to check van Persie incident

Alex McLeish wants the FA to investigate an incident involving Arsenal striker Robin van Persie in the FA Cup fourth round clash.

Arsene Wenger’s side came from two down to win 3-2 on Sunday, thanks to a penalty brace from the Dutch international and a fortunate Theo Walcott goal.

In a controversial incident in the second-half, the Scot believed Carlos Cuellar was caught in the face by van Persie’s elbow, but the referee Michael Jones did not award a foul.

“I thought it was a clear elbow, but the referee did not seem to think there was anything in it,” McLeish said.

“I thought he put the elbow towards Carlos’ face. The big man is not a guy to lie down; he got up pretty quickly.”

McLeish suggested the FA should look at the alleged elbow, adding: “Yes, if it was an elbow in the face – look at my face and my nose is a result of elbows all my career. It is something which is dangerous.”

“I never mentioned it to the referee. I saw it in real time.”

“I don’t like to point the finger at players, but it has happened to mine enough times.”

Villa ended the first-half with a shock lead, courtesy of goals from Richard Dunne and Darren Bent, before van Persie and Walcott swayed the game back in the hosts’ favour.

The 53-year old thought his men had done enough to secure victory in the first period alone, and was understandably disheartened by their failure to hold on to the victory.

“I am very disappointed we did not see it out and it is a missed opportunity,” he said.

“The fans will be gutted at seeing us let that lead slip away.”

“I said to the lads at half-time that I would like to be congratulating them at full-time, because it was an international performance in the first half.”

“The penalty gave them a huge lift, and we looked a bit leggy, but we went right to the end and could even have had an equaliser with a late couple of chances, but it was not to be.”

“We have to learn from this and try to obtain that winning mentality.”