Final Gabriel Chelsea red card verdict given as Premier League panel speak out on Arsenal star

Emiliano Martinez of Chelsea reacts after Gabriel connected with the goalkeeper's head the defeat to Arsenal(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The Premier League Key Match Incidents panel have unanimously voted in favour of Chris Kavanagh and his Video Assistant Referee team’s decision not to send off Gabriel in Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea. The Gunners beat their London rivals 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on September 6, but not without controversy.

Riccardo Calafiori’s goal was ruled out for offside, while Kai Havertz’s equaliser was allowed to stand despite a tight offside call. Both decisions were unanimously supported 5:0 by the panel.

However, the most contentious call in the game sparked plenty of debate after the clash. With the ball on the floor, several Arsenal and Chelsea players in the box tried to find contact while goalkeeper Emi Martinez attempted to get two hands on it.

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Brazilian defender Gabriel took a swipe at the ball, seemingly touching the top of the surface of the ball, before a follow through connected with Martinez’s head. The ball skewed out of the Argentine’s hands as a result.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Wayne Rooney said Gabriel was ‘extremely lucky’ not to be sent off. "Martínez has got the ball, and he [Gabriel] boots him on the head,” Rooney said.

"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, also on the show, agreed. “I'm exactly the same way,” Young said.

“When the ball is on the floor, and Martínez has got it in his hands, Gabriel kicks so high. I'm not sure why it's not gone to VAR, and they've looked at it properly, studied it, because he's nowhere near the ball -- I think he's got away with one there."

However, the Key Match Incidents panel unanimously agreed 5:0 that Gabriel was rightly not sent off for the action. They also provided the following statement: "The panel unanimously supported the referee's call of no red card. Multiple players were on the ground competing and challenging for the loose ball, and the action of Gabriel was not deemed to be an act of violent conduct or serious foul play."

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