Arsenal handed new Gabriel red card verdict after Erling Haaland comments

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Erling Haaland helped Gabriel escape a red card in their controversial clash, a former Premier League referee has claimed. The pair came head-to-head in Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

While both players put their heads together, Gabriel appeared to throw his forwards, which would usually constitute a red card for violent conduct. But neither the referee nor VAR deemed the incident to be worthy of a dismissal, with both players receiving a yellow card instead.

But Gabriel has since been told that he was actually rescued by Haaland’s reaction. Speaking to The Sun , former Premier League referee Mark Halsey said: “They both got up, they both squared up to each other, both put their heads together, then Gabriel moves his head into Haaland’s.

“Some will argue it should have been a red card for Gabriel for violent conduct, others will say ‘well, the force wasn’t there.’

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“It’s subjective, some will say yes and some will say no. I thought, on balance, two yellow cards was correct. If you look at Haaland I think he’s done Gabriel a massive favour by staying on his feet.

“We’ve seen in previous games where players have gone down, the red card has been shown and they’ve served a three-match ban – I think Gabriel has a lot to thank Haaland for.

“I think Anthony Taylor got that right, two yellow cards for adopting an aggressive attitude towards each other, for me he was correct.”

Haaland gave his verdict on his showdown with Gabriel and appeared to agree that the Brazilian could have been sent off had he been slightly more dramatic with his reaction.

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He said: "I think it's always like this. A lot of fighting and these kind of things. That's others to decide if I won that battle.

“Of course, I scored the goal. I won that battle in the decisive moment, the cross was perfect. It was a great goal. In the end, we win.”

Haaland added: "If I fell on the floor there, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, then it would maybe be red card. I'm not sure, I haven't seen the situation. It is what it is, I will not fall on the floor. For me I don't know why he comes up to my face."

City’s win at the Etihad saw them reduce Arsenal ’s lead at the top of the Premier League to just three points. Pep Guardiola ’s side could move ahead in midweek as they take on relegation-threatened Burnley .

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