Arsenal receive new Gabriel red card verdict as Erling Haaland speaks out on controversy
Erling Haaland prevented Gabriel from receiving a red card in their controversial clash of heads, a former Premier League referee has suggested. The duo clashed during Arsenal's 2-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. While both players brought their heads together, Gabriel seemed to thrust his forward, which can often warrant a red card for violent conduct.
However, neither the referee nor VAR considered the incident to merit a sending-off, with both players being shown a yellow card instead. Yet Gabriel has subsequently been informed that he was actually saved by Haaland's response. Speaking to The Sun, former top-flight ref 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.'
"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."
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Haaland offered his assessment of his confrontation with Gabriel and appeared to concur that the Brazilian could have been dismissed had he been slightly more theatrical in 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 triumph at the Etihad saw them narrow Arsenal's advantage at the summit of the Premier League to just three points. Pep Guardiola's outfit could leapfrog their rivals in midweek as they face relegation-threatened Burnley.