Wayne Rooney says Arsenal star should have been sent off against Chelsea | Football

Wayne Rooney believes Gabriel was ‘extremely lucky’ not to be sent off during Arsenal’s Premier League win over Chelsea.

The reigning champions maintained their perfect start to the new season with a comeback victory over Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea on Sunday.

Chelsea also came into the north London clash with a 100% record and made a superb start, taking the lead inside two minutes through ex-Arsenal target Morgan Rogers.

But Kai Havertz equalised against his former club midway through the first half before Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard netted a second-half winner.

Former Manchester United and England captain Rooney felt Arsenal should have been reduced to ten men just five minutes into the game after Gabriel kicked Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the head.

Several Chelsea players reacted angrily to the incident which left Martinez lying in pain and requiring medical attention.

Chris Kavanagh’s view was obscured by a scramble in the penalty box but VAR did not suggest the referee consult the pitchside monitor for a second look.

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.’

Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his players after the London derby, describing Arsenal’s performance as ‘incredible’.

‘It wasn’t the right start but we certainly reacted in an amazing way,’ Arteta said.

‘I enjoyed the way we competed; we took risks, it was a joy to watch and an incredible game.

‘They [Chelsea] have a great coach [Alonso] 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.’

On Arsenal’s flawless start to the new season and their title defence, Arteta added: ‘We are very happy and we need to continue to raise the bar and look to improve every single time.

‘There are still a lot of margins to do that. But we need to enjoy the victory now because it was a big one today.’

Arsenal put their Premier League title defence on hold during the week as they begin their Champions League campaign against Serie A side Napoli.

Chelsea, meanwhile, return to action on Wednesday night with a Carabao Cup clash against Leeds United.

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