Rooney says Gabriel was 'extremely lucky' to escape red card in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea

Arsenal defender Gabriel avoided a red card after catching Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the face with his boot during a goalmouth scramble in the first half of Sunday’s Premier League derby at the Emirates, with the hosts ultimately coming from behind to win 2-1. Referee Chris Kavanagh did not award a foul, and VAR chose not to intervene.

The incident arose from Martin Odegaard’s low free-kick that sparked a scramble in the Chelsea box. Gabriel, on the ground, swung his left leg at the loose ball, made only fractional contact with it, and struck Martinez in the head. The Chelsea goalkeeper required treatment before play resumed.

Wayne Rooney, speaking on Match of the Day, was unequivocal in his assessment. “You don’t really see it at first sight but then when you see a replay and they slow it down,” he said. “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.”

Former Arsenal and England defender Ashley Young agreed. “When the ball is on the floor and Martinez has it, Gabriel kicks so high. I’m not sure why it hasn’t gone to VAR or if they’ve properly studied it because he’s nowhere near the ball. He’s got away with one there.”

However, former Premier League referee Mark Halsey offered a contrasting view, arguing the incident did not constitute violent conduct. “Everybody was on the floor. There’s legs flying all over the place,” Halsey told the Sun. “Gabriel aims a kick at the ball, totally misses the ball, and then catches Martinez in the head. Is that violent conduct or was it normal contact? For me, without a doubt, it’s not violent conduct because everybody’s in there. He’s got a right to go for the ball and because they’re all on the floor, that’s why he’s caught Martinez in the head.”

The controversy did not derail Arsenal’s afternoon. Chelsea had taken a shock lead through Morgan Rogers inside two minutes, but Kai Havertz equalised before Odegaard fired the hosts in front shortly after half-time. Chelsea could not find a response, leaving the Gabriel incident as the dominant talking point from the London derby.