Paul Scholes says Gabriel Magalhaes ‘gets away with murder’ after avoiding a red card in Arsenal’s recent win over Chelsea.
The Premier League champions maintained their perfect start to the new season with a 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.
While trailing to Morgan Rogers’ early volley, Gabriel was perhaps fortunate not to see red after kicking Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the head during a scramble in the box.
The referee’s view was obstructed by several players and VAR did not intervene, much to the surprise of Manchester United legends Scholes and Nicky Butt.
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‘He should have been sent off,’ Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. ‘I missed it at first but it should be a red card. He’s gone miles over the bar.’
After podcast host Paddy McGuinness suggested Gabriel routinely ‘gets away with murder’, Scholes responded: ‘He does, yeah.
‘You get some players like that. Like, say me or Nicky made a foul, we got booked. Then there’s other players who can make ten fouls a game and nothing happens.
‘They get up and go to the referee, “oh, I’m sorry”. Do you know what I mean? They get away with it when other players don’t, and he’s one of them, isn’t he?’
Fellow former England midfielder Butt added: ‘It was ridiculous. If they don’t think that’s a sending off then there’s no point of having VAR. I don’t understand it.’
Ex-Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney also felt Gabriel should have seen red for his wild kick at new Chelsea goalkeeper Martinez.
Analysing the incident on BBC’s Match of the Day, Rooney said: ‘You don’t really see it at first sight but then when you see a replay and they slow it down…
‘Martinez has got the ball in his hands and Gabriel boots him in the head, he swings a leg and goes way over the top. He’s extremely lucky to stay on the pitch.’
Former England defender Ashley Young added: ‘I agree. When the ball is on the floor and Martinez has it, Gabriel kicks so high.
‘I’m not sure why it hasn’t gone to VAR of if they’ve properly studied it because he’s nowhere the ball. He’s got away with one there.’
Gabriel has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world in recent years, helping Arsenal win their first Premier League title since 2004 last season.
Mikel Arteta’s side have made a flawless start to their title defence, beating Coventry City, Aston Villa and Chelsea in their first three games.
Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea thanks to goals from ex-Blue Kai Havertz and Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard.
‘It wasn’t the right start but we certainly reacted in an amazing way,’ Arteta said in his post-match interview. ‘I enjoyed the way we competed; we took risks, it was a joy to watch and an incredible game.
‘They have a great coach who can set them up in great condition. With the quality they have, you feel they can create something out of nothing at any moment.
‘We constrained them well. Overall, it was an incredible performance from our side.’
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