Exclusive: Referee ignored assistant as Gabriel hurt in Arsenal incident
Keith Hackett believes that Dinamo Zagreb striker Sandro Kulenovic made a “reckless” tackle on Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and could have even been sent off.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former PGMOL chief, ex-FIFA, and Premier League referee believes a yellow card should’ve been the “minimum sentence sanction” after the striker’s tackle.
The Brazilian defender had to remain on the ground for a while to receive treatment but was eventually able to continue playing.
Despite the assistant referee flagging the challenge, referee Daniel Siebert ignored him and failed to issue a card after the poor challenge.
Arsenal need to avoid any more injuries to key players to salvage their season
The Gunners started the game strongly, with Declan Rice opening the scoring just two minutes in. Kai Havertz cushioned a ball back for the England international after a cross into the box, and Rice finished the chance with composure.
However, things could’ve taken a dangerous turn as Rice was targeted by objects thrown from the Dinamo Zagreb crowd.
Despite the disruption, Arsenal didn’t let it affect their performance, with Havertz doubling the lead in the second half. He scored with a powerful header from a pinpoint cross by Gabriel Martinelli.
With a win, Arsenal would end the night with 16 points in the Champions League, temporarily sitting in third place, which would earn them automatic qualification to the next round.
Despite the horror challenge, Magalhaes finished the game, but Hackett still addressed the tackle, and shared his thoughts to Football Insider:
“This is at best a reckless act and at worst a kick. The very minimum sentence sanction should have been a yellow card.
“The waving of the flag by the assistant sent a signal to the referee that the sanction for this challenge was at least a yellow card offence.”
Mikel Arteta’s side will now travel to Wolves on 25 January, where their target, Matheus Cunha could be playing for them instead of against them, following news of a potential U-turn.
The Gunners went on to record a comfortable 3-0 win.
In other news, Nottingham Forest could hijack a move for one of Arsenal’s transfer targets this January transfer window.
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