Gabriel Magalhaes was fortunate to not have been given his marching orders at the Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday night
10:24, 13 Feb 2026
Gabriel of Arsenal acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on February 12, 2026 in Brentford, England
View 3 Images
Gabriel Magalhaes was fortunate not to be sent off against Brentford(Image: Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Keith Hackett believes Gabriel Magalhaes should've been sent off during Arsenal's 1-1 draw to Brentford. The 28-year-old defender started and captained the Gunners at the Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday night as they conceded ground in the Premier League title race.
Gabriel was booked inside the opening half an hour for a foul on Igor Thiago. He was then involved in another incident towards the end of the second half, conceding a free-kick in a dangerous position after swinging his leg into the midriff of Dango Ouattara.
The Brazil international flung his arms up in the air to plead his innocence. Despite bringing down the Bees forward under the nose of the linesman, Gabriel escaped further punishment and helped Arsenal hold onto a point.
In an interview with Football Insider after the game, Hackett described the challenge as 'reckless'. The former PGMOL chief said: "The challenge by Gabriel is reckless and not the type of challenge you make when you’re already on a yellow card. The referee has clearly given him the benefit of the doubt on this one."
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Meanwhile, speaking to TNT Sports, Keith Andrews claimed Gabriel was lucky to not have been shown a red card for his mis-timed tackle. The Brentford boss said: "It was a definite yellow, yeah.
"It was a definite yellow. I just feel like the first few fouls always set the bar for how they referee the game, there’s always that level isn’t there and then it felt a few times in the first half we weren’t getting quite the rub of it."
Gabriel Magalhaes is shown a yellow card during Arsenal's draw at Brentford
View 3 Images
Gabriel Magalhaes is shown a yellow card during Arsenal's draw at Brentford(Image: Getty Images)
Despite the decision falling in the visitors' favour, Andrews applauded his players for their performance. He continued: "It was a game that had everything. There was a lot of action.
"In the first half, I thought we were brilliant, played really well and were the better team. In the first 15-20 minutes of the second half, they were very good and gained control of it, which they can do because they're a top team.
"They got the goal, but the way we reacted to that with the spirit, character and ability we showed was outstanding. If any team was going to win it, I felt it was probably going to be us.
Mikel Arteta
View 3 Images
Mikel Arteta reacts during Arsenal's draw at Brentford
"We were pushing and consistently looking like the team that was going to go on and win it."
Gabriel wasn't the only Arsenal player to get off scot-free during the clash against Brentford. Hackett believes Noni Madueke should face retrospective action after a dive in the opposition box went unpunished.
"This is a clear act of simulation, attempting to deceive the referee, who, in fairness, did not buy the dive," said the former FIFA referee. "However, referee John Brooks, at this point, should have issued the appropriate sanction of a yellow card.
Article continues below
"If referees are not going to apply a sanction for these incidents, we will continue to see growth. I will continue to say that, where no sanction is applied, I would like an independent review panel to investigate and review these acts and issues retrospective action."
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
Welcome to 'Seeing Red' - our new Arsenal podcast
We've launched a new Arsenal podcast 'Seeing Red' with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.
Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta's side every step of the way - and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.
It's a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.
The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League - and they're also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
We'll provide insight and reaction - and have fun along the way - as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.
No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We'll have it all covered.
Click here to view our YouTube channel
Click here to download our podcasts