Manchester United legends Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young have questioned the referee’s decision not to send off Gabriel during Arsenal’s Premier League win over Chelsea on Sunday.
Arsenal continued their perfect start to the new season with a comeback win against Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea on Sunday.
Chelsea entered the encounter with a perfect record and began strongly, taking the lead within two minutes through Morgan Rogers.
However, Kai Havertz equalised against his former club midway through the first half, before Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard scored the decisive goal in the second half.
Rooney believed Arsenal should have been reduced to 10 men just five minutes into the match after Gabriel struck Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the head.
Several Chelsea players reacted angrily to the incident, which left Martinez on the ground in pain and in need of medical assistance.
Referee Chris Kavanagh’s view was obstructed by a scramble in the penalty area, yet VAR did not recommend that the referee review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Analysing the incident on BBC’s Match of the Day, Rooney remarked: “At first glance, you don’t really notice it, but upon seeing a replay in slow motion…
“Martinez has got the ball in his hands and Gabriel boots him in the head, he swings a leg and goes way over the top. He’s extremely lucky to stay on the pitch.”
Young concurred, stating: “I agree. When the ball is on the ground and Martinez has it, Gabriel kicks far too high.
“I’m not sure why it hasn’t gone to VAR or if they’ve properly studied it because he’s nowhere near the ball. He’s got away with one there.”