Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor believes Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes should have been sent off for hitting his boot on Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Gabriel and Martinez were involved in a clumsy first-half incident as Arsenal came from behind to beat their visitors 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
With both players scrambling on the floor following Martin Odegaard's free-kick, the Gunners defender appeared to hit Martinez on the head with his boot.
Referee Chris Kavanagh had no issue with the challenge and his decision was backed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after review.
Agbonlahor Insists Gabriel Magalhaes Should Have Been Sent Off
During his post-game review of Sunday's London derby, Agbolanhor maintained that the Brazilian center-back was reckless with his tackle.
Fortunately for Gabriel, he escaped any booking for the challenge but Agbolanhor has raised his voice for more attention on players' welfare.
"I thought it was a red card, it's a high boot on the head of Martinez," Agbonlahor told TalkSPORT.
"You've got to look at players' welfare. It's dangerous from Gabriel, it's reckless when you know the keeper is on the floor."
While Agbolanhor called for Gabriel's expulsion, there has just been a single red card in the Premier League this season. Aston Villa's Joao Gomes is the only player to have been sent off after three matchdays, the fewest number since the 2009-10 campaign.
GABRIEL'S DISCIPLINARY RECORD AT ARSENAL
Since he arrived from Lille in 2020, Gabriel has received 32 yellow cards and two red cards in 265 appearances for the Gunners.
This season, the Brazilian star has played every minute of Arsenal's Premier League games and has received just one yellow card so far.
Gabriel's solid defending has contributed to the Gunners' unbeaten start to the season, with three wins from three matches.
