In a previously concluded Premier League fixture, Arsenal beat Chelsea 2‑1. Speaking on a BBC programme, Wayne Rooney stated that Gabriel was extremely fortunate to avoid a red card in this Premier League clash.
Only five minutes into the match, Gabriel kicked Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the head. Several Chelsea players reacted furiously to the confrontation, as Martinez collapsed in pain and required medical treatment. The penalty area was crowded with players, blocking referee Chris Kavanagh’s line of sight, and the Video Assistant Referee did not advise the official to review footage at the pitch‑side monitor.
Analysing the incident on the BBC show, Rooney said: “You cannot see it clearly at first glance, but it becomes obvious on slow‑motion replay. Martinez had secured hold of the ball, and Gabriel kicked him in the head with a significantly high raised boot. Gabriel is extremely lucky to remain on the pitch.”
Former England defender Ashley Young commented: “I agree. The ball was on the ground and Martinez had gained control of it. Gabriel lifted his foot far too high. I do not understand why the Video Assistant Referee did not intervene or conduct a thorough check. Gabriel was not attempting to play the ball at all, and he escaped punishment on this occasion.”
However, ex‑Premier League referee Mark Halsey offered a contrasting assessment of the call via The Sun. He noted that chaos unfolded inside the six‑yard box after Arsenal took a first‑half free‑kick, with multiple players on the ground and limbs flailing everywhere. The ball was loose, Gabriel attempted to strike it but made no contact, and instead connected with Martinez’s head.
Halsey argued there is room for debate over whether the action should be classified as violent conduct, as only Gabriel himself knows if he intended to strike Martinez. In his opinion, however, it was certainly not an act of violent behaviour.
He explained that Gabriel was entitled to compete for possession amid the crowded penalty area, and the collision with Martinez’s head stemmed from the large number of grounded players. For that reason, he believed it was the correct decision for VAR to stay out of the incident.
He also added that Arsenal soon scored a goal following the altercation, which was correctly disallowed for offside. In his view, the referee team and VAR delivered solid work up to that point in the fixture.
