Robin van Persie ‘elbow’ must be investigated – Alex McLeish

Van Persie scored two second-half penalties in Arsenal’s win at the Emirates

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has called on the Football Association to investigate an alleged elbow from Arsenal’s Robin van Persie after Villa were knocked out of the FA Cup.

McLeish felt the Arsenal captain caught defender Carlos Cuellar as they jumped for a high ball in the 64th minute.

“It was a clear elbow. Would I like the FA to look at it? Yes,” said McLeish.

Two Van Persie penalties helped the Gunners to a 3-2 victory after they had been 2-0 down at half-time on Sunday.

Returning to the alleged elbow incident, McLeish added: “Look at my nose, it is a result of elbows all my career. It is something which is dangerous.

“But the referee did not seem to think there was anything in it. 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.”

If it turns out referee Mike Jones witnessed the incident at the time, then no retrospective action can be taken by the disciplinary authorities.

But if he missed any wrongdoing, the FA could ultimately suspend Van Persie.

Villa led 2-0 at the break at the Emirates through a Richard Dunne header and a finish from an acute angle by Darren Bent.

But three goals in seven minutes turned the tie upside down, Van Persie making it 2-1 after Dunne fouled Aaron Ramsey.

Theo Walcott levelled before Van Persie sealed victory with a second penalty after Bent’s foul on Laurent Koscielny.

The comeback left Arsene Wenger praising Arsenal’s never-say-die attitude .

But were the FA to take action against Van Persie, the Gunners’ victory will have come at a considerable cost.

It is not the first time this season that the Dutch striker’s physical side has been called into question.

The then QPR manager Neil Warnock, speaking after his side were beaten by Arsenal on 31 December, said: “Every ball in the area he fouls the centre-half and gets away with absolute murder.

“I wish I could educate referees on free-kicks that he gets because we make it obvious when we go for a ball that it’s a free-kick.

“But Van Persie gets his arm up, he backs in, he fouls them and looks at the referee and gets away with it – it’s amazing how he does it.”