Arsenal get new Gabriel red card verdict as Chelsea 'red flag' cited in referee review
Gabriel Magalhaes appeared to kick Emi Martinez(Image: Sky Sports)
Former referee Dermot Gallagher believes that it was the correct decision not to send off Gabriel Magalhaes after the Brazilian caught Emi Martinez with a kick. Arsenal came away 2-1 victors against Chelsea at the Emirates but many were left frustrated that the Gunners had ended the game with 11 men.
With Chelsea still leading through Morgan Rogers' strike, Martinez attempted to gather a low free kick from Martin Odegaard. Scrambling for the ball, Gabriel appeared to catch Chelsea goalkeeper Martinez in the face when he kicked out.
The Argentina international quickly held his head and received some treatment, while Reece James and Joao Pedro protested to the officials. Gabriel's kick was not enough to justify a red card in Gallagher's view.
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The action was not referred by VAR for an onfield review, and the ex-official believes that decision was justified. "I think a few reasons," Gallagher said.
"They are all on the floor, there's a big tangle. He goes to kick the ball and I think he gets the ball. That's why it pops out of Martinez's hands. He gets the ball and his foot goes up to catch Martinez in the head."
"I don't think there is any malice at all in that," he added.
Emiliano Martinez reacts after sustaining an injury(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood believes that Martinez's reaction could have also played a role. "I think his foot slipped off the top of the ball and caught Martinez," he said.
"I think Martinez makes far too much of it. That is the red flag."
That view is in stark contrast to that of former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney. "Martínez has got the ball, and he [Gabriel] boots him on the head," he said on Match of the Day
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"He's got the ball in two hands, way over the top of the ball, and he boots him in the head, so I think he's extremely lucky to stay on the pitch."
Ashley Young was equally surprised that a more indepth look wasn't taken. “I'm exactly the same way, we talked about it at the time and we said that obviously nothing came of it," he said.
“But when the ball's on the floor there and you see Martinez has got it in his hands, Gabriel kicks so high and kicks him in the head when his head's up there.
“I'm not sure why it's not gone to VAR and they've (not) properly studied it because he's nowhere near the ball. So I think he's got away with one there.”
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