Wayne Rooney has said Arsenal defender Gabriel was “extremely lucky” to avoid being sent off in his side’s 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
Having gone behind early through Morgan Rogers, the Gunners’ afternoon could have taken a miserable twist after an incident just four minutes later.
After gathering a low free-kick from Martin Ødegaard towards the front post, Chelsea keeper Emiliano Martínez held his head and needed treatment after being struck by the left foot of the defender.
Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, former Manchester United and England forward Rooney explained: “Martínez has got the ball, and he [Gabriel] boots him on the head.
“He’s got the ball in two hands, way over the top of the ball, and he boots him in the head, so I think he’s extremely lucky to stay on the pitch.”
The incident was not referred by VAR for an on-field review.
Rooney’s former United teammate Ashley Young concurred.
“I’m exactly the same way. When the ball is on the floor, and Martínez has got it in his hands, Gabriel kicks so high,” he said.
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“I’m not sure why it’s not gone to VAR and they’ve looked at it properly, studied it, because he’s nowhere near the ball — I think he’s got away with one there.”
João Pedro and Reece James led the Chelsea protests, but play resumed without further intervention.
The hosts equalised later through Kai Havertz, before Ødegaard made it 2-1 in the second half, a lead they held to secure their third win from as many matches this season.
