**The Premier League has explained why Arsenal defender Gabriel was not sent off after catching Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the face during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.**
The incident came only minutes after Morgan Rogers had fired Chelsea ahead inside 77 seconds.
Gabriel attempted to reach a loose ball during a goalmouth scramble but his boot connected with Martinez’s face, leaving the goalkeeper requiring treatment.
Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded Chelsea a free-kick but did not show Gabriel a card.
VAR subsequently checked the incident for a possible red card.
The Premier League’s Match Centre backed Kavanagh’s on-field decision.
The review determined Gabriel’s action did **not meet the threshold for serious foul play**, meaning VAR did not intervene to recommend a dismissal.
Premier League guidance states that serious foul play involves a challenge which **endangers an opponent’s safety or uses excessive force or brutality**.
Officials are instructed to consider factors including speed, force, control, intensity and the point and extent of contact when assessing such incidents.
In Gabriel’s case, VAR ultimately judged that threshold had not been reached.
The decision will still generate plenty of debate among Chelsea supporters given the height of the contact and Martinez’s need for treatment.
Fortunately for Chelsea, Martinez was able to continue after receiving attention from the medical staff.
The summer signing went on to make several important saves as Arsenal increasingly took control of the contest.
Chelsea had made the perfect start through Rogers before Kai Havertz equalised in the 25th minute.
Martin Ødegaard then completed Arsenal’s comeback shortly after half-time as Xabi Alonso’s side suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season.
Our [Chelsea player ratings against Arsena**l**](https://readchelsea.com/2026/09/06/chelsea-player-ratings-vs-arsenal/) picked Martinez as one of the Blues’ more solid performers despite conceding twice, while Rogers was Chelsea’s standout player.
The Gabriel incident was not the only intervention involving VAR during the afternoon.
Arsenal also had an apparent equaliser from Riccardo Calafiori ruled out earlier in the first half after an offside was identified in the build-up.
For Chelsea, however, Gabriel’s challenge will remain one of the biggest talking points from a frustrating afternoon in north London.