Ex-PGMOL chief: Viktor Gyokeres ‘close to getting a red’ after Chelsea vs Arsenal incident
Mikel Arteta should have been informed of how close Viktor Gyokeres was to being sent off during the draw between Chelsea and Arsenal.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Sweden international could have joined Moises Caicedo after his straight red card.
Anthony Taylor’s performance left a lot to be desired as eight players ended up in the referee’s notebook during a feisty 1-1 draw between the two sides at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 30 November.
Some Chelsea supporters will argue that Piero Hincapie was fortunate not to be sent off as well following a stray elbow on Trevoh Chalobah right before the half-time whistle.
Viktor Gyokeres could have been sent off vs Chelsea
In the 88th minute, substitute Gyokeres was involved in yet another flare-up on the pitch, having challenged goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for the ball, colliding with him in the process.
The Chelsea players were outraged, calling for the striker to be punished after he slid into the shot-stopper, appearing to make contact with the face, and Taylor obliged with a yellow card but nothing more.
Despite the caution, he did not allow that to affect his energy on the pitch, having only come on in the 72nd minute, and Hackett was baffled that nothing was said to Arteta about that.
While most are in agreement that the incident in question should have never resulted in a red card, had he continued with the same tenacity, it might have ended badly for the former Sporting CP man.
Mikel Arteta should have been warned over Arsenal striker’s eagerness
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “When you’ve got heightened spectators and tension on the field of play, the one thing the referee has to do is be calm.
“Taylor, love him or not, he is a very calm guy in terms of the big games. He’s got the experience, and with that, reasonable judgment. He didn’t overreact, and that helps.
“When a player is on a yellow, I’d like the manager to be informed by the fourth official that he’s close to getting a red if he carries on how he is. The communication could be better.”