Ex-Premier League referee: Gabriel Martinelli should get extended ban as controversial Arsenal image emerges
Gabriel Martinelli should have been shown a red card as Arsenal beat Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday (9 October), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Martinelli should have been dismissed for his foul on Trent Alexander-Arnold that left him unable to continue.
The 21-year-old appeared to stamp on Alexander-Arnold’s ankle as he followed through after putting in a cross.
Alexander-Arnold continued gingerly but had to be replaced at half-time and Jurgen Klopp confirmed to Sky Sports afterwards it was due to an injury.
A red card for Martinelli would have seen him banned for Arsenal’s next three Premier League games, starting with a trip to Leeds United next Sunday (16 October).
He would have also missed an away game with Southampton and the visit of Nottingham Forest.
“The game has to clearly see that this is a red card offence,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“On the left, that’s a raking challenge where there was no attempt to play the ball.
“These are the challenges that we have spoken about and should be red cards. On the left, he got a red card last week and on the right, there was no red card. The point is these are both red card challenges.
“There’s no point raising the bar in refereeing. What you still have is a duty of care towards the players to ensure they can continue in the game.
“We’re seeing too many of these. We’re seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold trying to get to the World Cup, not having the best performance on the day, and he’s put out of the game by a challenge that should have been a red.”
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