However, referee Mike Dean did not give a free-kick, let alone a penalty, on either occasion, much to Pires’s frustration.

On the second occasion, the Frenchman did, indeed, look to have made the most of a slight push by Danny Mills as he cut across him.

Earlier, however, Pires did look to have been tripped, albeit accidentally, by Chris Riggott as they chased the ball together.

Wenger is worried Pires has gained a reputation, especially after the way in which he won a penalty against Portsmouth earlier this season despite the faintest of contact with Dejan Stefanovic.

The Arsenal boss declared: “There was a penalty – or at least a foul - against Robert, which looked obvious on television but it wasn’t given.

“He got a bit of a reputation to be a diver after the Portsmouth game but he’s not. He didn’t get the free-kicks in this game when he deserved them and I hope that’s not because of his reputation.

“He just wants to play football. When he goes down and doesn’t get a free-kick, he’s not happy but he never complains.”