Arsenal Fulham
(Credit: Sky Sports)
Keith Hackett
Wed 2 April 2025 20:46, UK
John Brooks should have stopped play in the clash between Arsenal and Fulham to allow for treatment to Gunners centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that officials should always put the safety of players first in games.
Arsenal claimed a 2-1 win over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday (1 April), to maintain their slim hopes of hunting down Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title.
However, that win came at a cost for the Gunners, with questions now emerging over the availability over Gabriel for the final weeks of the campaign.
Arsenal have fallen away from the Premier League title race (Credit Getty Images)
Arsenal have fallen away from the Premier League title race (Credit Getty Images)
Gabriel forced off to hand Mikel Arteta fresh injury concern
There has been a regular string of injuries for Mikel Arteta to deal with this season, who finally saw Bukayo Saka return and score against the Cottagers after his own long lay-off.
He is though now facing concerns over the fitness of another of his key players in the form of Gabriel after that win over Fulham.
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Early on in the game, the centre-back had gone down with a hamstring problem while Arsenal were on the attack and electing not to put the ball out of play for their teammate to receive treatment.
Gabriel Magalhaes stats for Arsenal in 2024/25 Total (as per SofaScore)
Appearances 28
Goals 3
Pass Success Rate 91%
Clean Sheets 10
Balls Recovered per Game 2.3
Clearances per Game 3.2
Premier League only
After Fulham regained possession they would follow the lead of their opponents and not put the ball out of play to allow the Brazilian to get attention.
That prompted an angry reaction from the rest of the Arsenal squad that was described as “crazy” by Lee Hendrie as he commentated on the game.
Gabriel was eventually forced off after 16 minutes, and Hackett has now suggested that Brooks should have stopped play earlier himself to allow for the player to be treated.
‘Arsenal player should have been seen to quicker’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider about the decision by the referee to allow both Arsenal and Fulham to play on amid the injury to Gabriel, the former referee said:
“If it is an head injury then stop the game immediately because of the imminent dangers to the player.
“There is no doubt that players are going down too easily to create stoppages that have a negative impact on the flow of the game. Given all that I would always coach referees to take a safe approach and to stop the game.
“In this case the referee is exposed to negative comments and often raised temperature amongst players when he does not stop the game. Referees: take care and put player safety first.”
The Gunners are next in action with a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton on Saturday afternoon (5 April).
That is followed by a Champions League quarter final clash with Real Madrid the following midweek that many Arsenal fans fear they have “no chance” of winning after this injury to Gabriel.
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