Former ref explains Arsenal-Chelsea red-card decision

Dermot Gallagher backs referee’s decision not to send off Gabriel Magalhaes for a kick to Emi Martinez’s head, noting the defender had possession.

Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Former ref explains Arsenal‑Chelsea red‑card decision

Arsenal secured a 2‑1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, but plenty of supporters were outraged over what they viewed as a red‑card misstep by the referee.
During the match, defender Gabriel Magalhaes struck midfielder Emi Martinez in the head while trying to retain possession of the ball. While the impact was largely glancing, some observers argued the incident merited a red card.
Former official Dermot Gallagher, speaking to Sky Sports, stressed that the defender was already in possession, rendering a dismissal inappropriate. He explained:

<blockquote>They’re all on the floor. There’s a big tangle. He definitely goes to kick the ball and he gets the ball,&rquo>

<blockquote>I don’tthink there’s any malice whatsoever in that.&rquo>

Br​owman added that Martinez does not exaggerate the severity of the bump.
Tim Sherwood echoed the view, noting that the foot slipped off the top of the ball and connected with Martinez’s head, expressing doubt about the necessity for any retributive card.
Jay Bothroyd also shared this perspective, stating that a red card would have been excessive without clearer intent or danger.
Shohry, meanwhile, suggested that the incident was merely a minor slip rather than a foul worthy of a caution. Overall, the Sky Sports panel appeared uniformly skeptical of Chelsea, viewing at most a yellownote for Declan Rice as the most severe sanction plausible.
Beyond that contentious moment, Gallagher pointed to another debatable incident—he claimed Declan Rice committed a foul on Morgan Rogers as the Chelsea striker advanced toward goal, though the level fell short of the threshold for a red‑card review. After discussing the matter, Sherwood even proposed that the alleged foul possibly stemmed from Rogers thrusting himself down, thereby denying the charge of foul play.
In summary, the refereeing crew concluded that no red card was justified. Their collective stance left unchallenged Arsenal’s two‑goal haul, and the result stood firmly established once the clock ticked past the critical juncture.
Looking ahead, Arsenal’s early‑season injury profile remains mixed: key attackers are fit while several defenders continue to recover, mirroring the careful load‑management strategy employed by manager Mikel Arteta.

Photo by Jay Bothroyd/Getty Images

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