The Premier League have confirmed that Gabriel Magalhaes’ clash with Erling Haaland was deemed not to be excessively aggressive or violent by VAR.
Arsenal crashed to defeat at the Etihad, with Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki scoring either side of Kai Havertz’s equaliser.
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Pep Guardiola’s team are now just three points behind the Gunners and have the chance to leapfrog them with a win over Burnley in midweek.
But on Sunday, it was a game of incredibly high stakes, and Gabriel versus Haaland was one of the biggest talking points from the match.
The Arsenal defender can consider himself fortunate not to have seen red late on, although the Premier League has now explained why it was only a booking.
Premier League say Gabriel on Haaland was not excessively aggressive or violent
The Premier League claim Gabriel Magalhaes’ headbutt on Erling Haaland was not excessively aggressive or violent.
In the 83rd minute, after a fair amount of tussling throughout the match, both players finally clashed and went head-to-head.
After Gabriel moved his head towards Haaland, with many supporters claiming that he was very lucky not to have seen red.
After the match, the PL Match Centre confirmed: “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.”
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However, former Premier League Mark Clattenburg has exclusively told Arsenal Insider that Gabriel was very fortunate not to have seen red.
The Brazilian defender very clearly moved his head towards Haaland, and he should consider himself lucky not to have been sent off.
Arsenal fans should also be fuming at the defender for the incident, as it was a very silly moment from such an experienced player.
Gabriel was poor against Man City and will need to pick himself up quickly to face Newcastle United next weekend.
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