Arsenal and Chelsea have recieved a new verdict of Gabriel Magalhaes' kick at Blues goalkeeper Emi Martinez with former referee Dermot Gallagher offering his view
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel Magalhaes appeared to kick Emi Martinez(Image: Sky Sports)
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Former referee Dermot Gallagher believes that it was the correct decision not to send off Gabriel Magalhaes after the Brazilian caught Emi Martinez with a kick. Arsenal came away 2-1 victors against Chelsea at the Emirates but many were left frustrated that the Gunners had ended the game with 11 men.
Scrambling for the ball, Gabriel appeared to catch Chelsea goalkeeper Martinez in the face when he kicked out. However, it was not enough to justify a red card in Gallagher's view.
The action was not referred to VAR, and the ex-official believes that decision was justified. "I think a few reasons," Gallagher said.
"They are all on the floor, he goes to get the ball and I think he gets the ball. He gets the ball and his foot goes up to catch Martinez in the head."
"I don't think there is any malice at all in that," he added.
Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood believes that Martinez's reaction could have also played a role. "I think his foot slipped off the top of the ball and caught Martinez," he said.
"I think Martinez makes far too much of it. That is the red flag."
That view is in stark contrast of former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney. "MartÃnez has got the ball, and he [Gabriel] boots him on the head," he said on Match of the Day.
"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."