Why Gabriel Was Lucky To Stay On Pitch To Score Arsenal Winner vs Newcastle

Gabriel was lucky to still be on the pitch for Arsenal to net their winner over Newcastle over the weekend.

The Brazilian central defender was at the heart of the majority of the action for his side in their dramatic late 2-1 win over the Magpies on Sunday afternoon.

Gabriel had claimed he was shoved by striker Nick Woltemade before the towering German opened the scoring for his side at St James’ Park.

Straight from kick off Gabriel was spotted attempting to catch the frontman, 24, in the face as he looked to block off his attempt to win the ball back.

That sparked controversy but it was missed by the referee after Woltemade insisted he was “not the type of player” to hit the deck from the incident.

That was lucky for Gabriel who could so easily have been shown a straight red card for violent conduct had the whistler or VAR taken a properly good look at the coming together.

Gabriel elbow vs Newcastle escaped punishment

Woltemade was furious over the alleged elbow but both the striker and his teammates would become even angrier inside stoppage time when it was Gabriel who would pop up with the eventual winning header.

The “world’s best” defender Gabriel wheeled away in celebration after taking advantage of Nick Pope’s questionable judgement to come off his line from the corner and his goal would nick all three points.

It was certainly a controversial moment for the 27-year-old who has not actually been shown any cards this season at all so far.

But it left a bitter taste in the mouth of Woltemade who addressed the issue at full-time.

Asked in a Sky Sports interview about his duels with his opponent – and the one incident in particular after his goal – Woltemade was unhappy with his foe’s acts.

Should Gabriel have been sent off for Arsenal vs Newcastle?

“After the goal there was a situation I felt his elbow in my face.

“I’m two metres [tall], so his arm has to be really high. I don’t want to fall down, but in this situation..

“I don’t know, I just said it to the referee that I felt something in the face and I think it’s not right to feel something in the face.

“I’m not the type of player to fall down from this but it’s hard because sometimes maybe you have to. But that’s not my type of football, I don’t like it.

“He said sorry after, but I think he knew he hit me in my face. If you do something in the game and then immediately afterwards you say sorry, it’s not part of the game.

“I don’t like it.”