REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
It was a very poor afternoon for Arsenal as they lost 3-0 to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. The Gunners had not conceded three away goals in the Premier League since a 4-3 win at Luton Town back in December 2023.
Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas were both given far too much space on the edge of the box, as they fired the Seagulls into a 2-0 lead before the break. Chema Andres then added a third just before the hour mark to seal an impressive win for the home team.
There were few in Arsenal colours who came away with any praise, but defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been criticised, in particular, for his behaviour during the match.
Keith Hackett Slams Gabriel's Dive
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
The issue in question doesn't relate to his performance, but rather to one moment which has angered former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett. Footage of Gabriel has gone viral online, showing the defender trying to win a cheap free-kick.
Yasin Ayari was chasing down the ball, and the Brazilian defender threw himself to the ground under minimal contact. Darren England didn't blow for a foul, but Hackett has claimed that Gabriel should have been punished with a yellow card for diving.
Speaking to Football Insider, he explained why it was cheating:
"The reality here is this is an act of simulation and it should have received a sanction.
"When you're looking at pushing offences, right, you start off with a bent arm and it straightens. That's a push. Simple as that. And as a referee, that's what you're looking for.
"This player's gone with a straight arm. The other thing that you're also looking for, often, a player running will slow down because what he's doing is inviting contact.
"So those are the things that the referee's got to take on board. And often because you're looking from behind, you've got the back of the defender, the forwards got in front of him, you've not got the best view.
"That's where VAR can come in [for a penalty]. But this is an act of simulation. It deserved a yellow card."
Footage of the incident has gone viral, sparking plenty of discussion online. Watch it below:
Rice Also Under Scrutiny
REUTERS/Tony O Brien
Gabriel didn't get a yellow card, and he wasn't the only Arsenal player who perhaps got away with something on the day. There was much debate around Declan Rice after the midfielder lashed out at Brighton's Malick Yalcouye.
On that call, Hackett said the player could have been sent off, noting: "This kick in retaliation is, in law, a violent action, and Rice is fortunate that the referee, England, did not display a red card."
Arsenal players at the Amex stadium, with David Raya in conversation with referee.
Arsenal players at the Amex stadium, with David Raya in conversation with referee.
Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, however, former Premier League referee Graham Barber stated that it was probably the right call to only dish out a yellow card. He explained:
"Yalcouye actually nudged him right in the back. That was quite late and a needless challenge. And the two things I'm going to say about that are: we saw Bruno Fernandes the week before, right? In my opinion, clearly kicking out on the floor, whether it was with force or without force, he definitely kicked a player and got a yellow card.
"You could actually argue that Declan Rice's incident wasn't as bad as that, right? Because he actually never really kicked him. He actually just followed through with his knee, and so I think yellow card was the right decision for me."
Arsenal now have to wait until October 10 for their next game, when they host Leeds United in the Premier League. Brighton travel to Sunderland on the same day.