REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has cast his verdict on the controversial first-half incident between Arsenal’s Gabriel and Chelsea’s Emiliano Martinez during Sunday’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Gabriel kicked Martinez in the head during a scramble for the ball but avoided punishment.
VAR saw the incident, per Sky Sports, but play restarted with no action due to Gabriel’s kick being determined as ‘accidental contact’.
Arsenal went on to win the match 2-1, with Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scoring either side of half-time, but there may have been a different outcome had Gabriel been shown an early red card.
Wayne Rooney: Gabriel 'Lucky' to Avoid Red Card
REUTERS/Phil Noble
Analysing the incident on Match of the Day, Premier League legend Wayne Rooney said: “When you see the replay and slow it down, Martinez has got the ball in his hands and [Gabriel] boots [Martinez] in the head.
Rooney’s former Manchester United teammate Ashley Young was in agreement. “I’m exactly the same way,” he added. “When the ball’s on the floor and 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 VAR has not properly studied it because he’s nowhere near the ball. I think he’s got away with one there.” Watch the clip below:
Keith Hackett Gives His Opinion
Reuters
However, ex-PGMOL (now Pro Ref) boss Keith Hackett has a different opinion after reviewing the footage carefully.
“It is evident that the referee did not have a view of that incident,” Hackett told Football Insider. “The action by the Arsenal player, in my opinion, showed no malice - and therefore I put it under the banner of accidental.
“VAR, also viewing that incident, wisely in my opinion, decided not to come in.” Watch the clip below:
Asked why VAR didn’t get involved, Hackett said on X (Twitter): “At worst it was reckless and a yellow card. VAR cannot intervene in yellow. The action did not fulfil a red card offence.”
A stark difference of opinion there between those who played the game and those who officiated at the top level.
Arsenal maintained their 100% winning start to the 2026-27 season and currently sit joint-top of the table alongside Manchester City.
Chelsea, whose captain Reece James raised the eyebrows of Arsenal supporters with his post-match comments, occupy fourth spot after the end of the Matchweek 3.