Arsenal are preparing for their Champions League opener against Napoli after beating Chelsea in the league
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 9: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal appeals to Referee Glenn Nyberg during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern Munchen at Emirates Stadium on April 9, 2024 in London, England.(Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Glenn Nyberg will referee Arsenal for the first time since 2024(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA, Getty Images)
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Arsenal are in European action this week after beginning their domestic campaign with three successive Premier League wins. Napoli are the Gunners' opponents as Mikel Arteta's team aim to beat the Serie A side for a third time on the spin.
The London side go into the game in high spirits after grinding out a 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. Morgan Rogers put the Blues in front, only for Kai Havertz to equalise against his former club and Martin Odegaard to complete the turnaround.
The refereeing at the Emirates Stadium has prompted debate, as is so often the case with big Premier League clashes. Chief among the talking points is Gabriel catching former Arsenal keeper Emi Martinez during a penalty box scramble and avoiding a red card.
A new verdict on that Gabriel incident is among today's talking points, as is the interesting refereeing appointment for Wednesday's game in Italy. Here are our latest lines from North London.
Reunion with Bayern Munich ref
Swedish official Glenn Nyberg will be in charge when Arsenal travel to Napoli on Wednesday. If that name rings a bell, it's because he oversaw the Gunners' home encounter against Bayern Munich in the 2023/24 edition of the tournament.
That encounter finished 2-2 and hinged on two pivotal penalty decisions. Harry Kane netted Bayern's second from the spot but there were two other penalty appeals turned down - one for each side, with Arsenal's coming when Bukayo Saka went to ground under Manuel Neuer's challenge late on.
Nyberg also took charge of a group stage encounter involving Arsenal earlier that same season. On that occasion, Arteta's side claimed victory away at Sevilla en route to topping their group.
Rooney gives red card verdict
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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Ezri Konsa and Gabriel of Arsenal react with referee Chris Kavanagh during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
There were plenty of contentious moments during Arsenal vs Chelsea(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United team-mates Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young believe Gabriel was fortunate to remain on the pitch during Arsenal's win over Chelsea. Both felt the Brazilian international could have been dismissed after he caught Martinez, suggesting he was fortunate to avoid further punishment.
"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," Rooney said when analysing Sunday's London derby on Match of the Day.
Young concurred, suggesting there was an argument for the video assistant referee to get involved. "When the ball is on the floor and Martinez has it, Gabriel kicks so high," he said.
"I'm not sure why it hasn't gone to VAR of if they've properly studied it because he's nowhere the ball. He's got away with one there."