Gabriel Magalhaes was very lucky to avoid a red card following a confrontation with Erling Haaland during Arsenal‘s loss at Manchester City. The Gunners lost a crucial Premier League title clash 2-1 after Haaland bagged the winner for Pep Guardiola’s men. And Arsenal were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men in the second half when Gabriel clashed with the goalscorer.
Gary Neville and former Premier League referee Mike Dean both expressed comparable opinions on his behaviour. Neville said on Sky Sports’ commentary: “I think they have both gone head to head, there’s not excessive force by Gabriel but he has just put head his head towards a little bit more. I think the way the game has gone with those two, I think a yellow card is probably just about right. I wouldn’t have been surprised had Gabriel been sent off, there is a a movement.”
Dean continued: “Looking at it again, Gabriel is very lucky not to be sent off.” And the Premier League Match Centre explained on X: “#MCIARS – 83′ The referee’s call of no red card was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action from Gabriel deemed not to be excessively aggressive or violent.”
The pair had confronted each other on multiple occasions in the massive title fixture at Etihad Stadium with one moment seeing Haaland’s shirt torn entirely from his body.
City forward Haaland had previously overpowered Gabriel on his route to netting City’s crucial second goal with Rayan Cherki’s excellent opener negated by an unusual Kai Havertz strike.
The latter had a golden opportunity to net another equaliser but he guided his header narrowly over the bar. Before City’s goal, Eberechi Eze struck the post with Gabriel also heading against the upright midway through the second half.