Fuming Arsenal fans convinced Dias should have been sent off after kicking out at Ben White and sparking huge melee

FUMING Arsenal fans are convinced Ruben Dias should have been sent off in their 4-1 defeat to with Manchester City.

Goals from Kevin de Bruyne and John Stones handed the Premier League champions a comfortable 2-0 lead as they approached half-time at the Etihad in the title race six-pointer.

And tempers began to boil over on both sides in added time when Dias and Ben White wrestled for the ball in the corner.

White attempted to kick the ball out from under the Man City centre-back's legs.

And when he eventually retrieved it, Dias then lashed out at White's calf - although he did not connect with much force.

Referee Michael Oliver booked Dias for the kick out, before the VAR review from David Coote brought no further punishment.

But Arsenal supporters feel the Portuguese defender should have been dismissed.

One said: "That should be a RED for Dias. That's a kick in the back of the leg with his cleats."

Another added: "How come that's not a red card for Dias there?"

A third replied: "Ruben Dias literally kicks White in the calf out of pure anger and doesn’t get a red card. It’s amazing what amount of luck infinite billions can buy."

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And a fourth responded: "Dias knew what he was doing. Definitely a red card for me…"

There were two more melees in the game as Jack Grealish and Thomas Partey came to blows, before Erling Haaland and White were involved in an incident at full-time.

The win moves Man City to within two points of Arsenal with two games in hand.

And it may well end up being the decisive blow in the title race come the end of the season.

City also maintained their push for the treble as they prepare for a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid and FA Cup final against Manchester United.