Arsenal received significant boost ahead of their League Cup clash with Spurs after the FA withheld match referee Mike Dean’s decision to hand a red card to Gabriel in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea.
The withdrawal of red card means that Brazil international will now not serve a three-match suspension and allowed to feature in upcoming League Cup fixture against Tottenham, Leicester City, and Manchester United.
However, the 24-year-old has not been exonerated from the charge of improper conduct by not leaving the pitch immediately when Dean sent him off. He has until Thursday to respond.
In a statement released through FA website, the governing body confirmed that the Independent Regulatory Commission had upheld Arsenal’s appeal for erroneous dismissal.
Mike Dean had no hesitation in handing a straight red card to
Gabriel after he kicked out at Diego Costa, who was engaged in an altercation with Laurent Koscielny.
Arsene Wenger admitted in a post-match press conference that his player shouldn’t have given a nasty response to Costa.
The FA also brought the Chelsea striker in the dock and handed him a three-match ban for his role in the controversy that warped the first half of an enthralling London derby.
“We warn them not to get involved, and I don’t understand Gabriel because he usually looks a calm boy. You have to be above that. That’s part of the game sometimes.” a visibly disappointed Wenger told newsmen.
The reversal of Gabriel’s Red has provided a much needed to boost to Arsenal’s defence force ahead of their tour to White Hart Lane, with Per Mertesacker rejoining the squad after recovering from illness.
