Arsenal are set to return to action on Wednesday after a hard-fought Premier League win over Chelsea came with moments of high drama
Arsenal have kept up their 100 per cent start to the new Premier League season and are now preparing for a Champions League opener against Napoli. The Gunners have three wins from four previous meetings with the Serie A side but lost to them in Campania in December 2013.
Before attention turns fully towards that match, however, the fall-out from Sunday afternoon's victory over Chelsea continues. Mikel Arteta's side are behind league leaders Manchester City on goals scored after bouncing back to beat the Blues 2-1 after Morgan Rogers' early opener.
There were plenty of flashpoints in the London derby and discussions will likely continue in West London while Chelsea - not in Europe this term - face a longer wait before returning to league action. One of those concerns a challenge on Emi Martinez by Gabriel, with debate continuing to rage.
We also have a notable update concerning the Napoli match, where Arsenal will hope to record a 13th straight league phase victory in Europe after boasting a perfect record last term. Here are our latest lines.
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Referee reunion on the cards
Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg will be the man in the middle when Arsenal travel to Napoli on Wednesday. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he took charge of the Gunners' home leg against Bayern Munich in the 2023/24 edition of the competition.
That fixture ended 2-2 and was a tale of two penalties. Harry Kane scored Bayern's second goal from the spot but Nyberg opted not to give Arsenal a penalty after an incident involving Bukayo Saka and Manuel Neuer late on.
The Bayern game wasn't the first time Nyberg has been in charge of a match involving the London side. He was also in charge for a group stage game earlier in the same season when Mikel Arteta's side won away against Sevilla.
Gabriel red card verdict
Former Manchester United stars Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young believe Gabriel can consider himself fortunate to have avoided a red card during Arsenal's victory over Chelsea. The pair both felt the Brazilian could have been dismissed after catching visiting goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the head with his boot.
"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," Rooney said on Match of the Day.
Young felt the same, saying: "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."
Pupadprstz
1
Martinez never had the ball in his hands
That justifies kicking his head?
Tiuiklnryz
0
you call this lucky? why do we have a referee and a VAR in a match? why did the VAR checked the incident? the keeper received medical attention and the VAR could've used that time to check what actually happened but since it was Chelsea and they didn't want Chelsea to win the game,they felt if they send Gabriel out Arsenal could've lost the game completely and if this is the league they call the best then am sorry
Mugu
Tiuiklnryz
0
Rooney is s fool Which Martinez has the ball? Someone that lost the ball nd Gabriel saw the opportunity to score but mistakenly hit Martinez face nd u lots saying it's a red card Shame on you
Wuwbcinpz
0
They can continuous the discussion,we,we are moving on, focusing on UCL match
BallyBurnadaniel
0
you call this lucky? why do we have a referee and a VAR in a match? why did the VAR checked the incident? the keeper received medical attention and the VAR could've used that time to check what actually happened but since it was Chelsea and they didn't want Chelsea to win the game,they felt if they send Gabriel out Arsenal could've lost the game completely and if this is the league they call the best then am sorry
No need to rely on Cards, play cool game win your matches on merits like Arsenal did without penalty just good touches and beating martinez to the wrong side 😀 😂😂😂
Zodabcmyz
0
don't want to hear any comments from man u former players
fapaekpyz
0
shut up..even you yourself saw Maguire playing netball with Ipswich Town but VAR didn't even show it...they were looking for a offside but it was suppose to be a possible handball for Maguire
go and read about the new rules on that situation
FrancisNwanna
0
you call this lucky? why do we have a referee and a VAR in a match? why did the VAR checked the incident? the keeper received medical attention and the VAR could've used that time to check what actually happened but since it was Chelsea and they didn't want Chelsea to win the game,they felt if they send Gabriel out Arsenal could've lost the game completely and if this is the league they call the best then am sorry
Flimsy excuses everywhere. You lost! Stop looking for excuses and address some of the pertinent issues in your team.
Lecacikmz
0
There was a time when the referee gave Arsenal two red cards against Chelsea. After the match, the red cards were provoked, and the referee was banned later.
which match and what season?
yzi
0
from the rest 19 teams that could have been a red card, well done gunners and keep it up that way
Charlesugwu
2
The h*tr£d is real. Keep instig@ting referees. Don't cry when Man United is involved.
AFerhZAx3338
0
Master stop being biased and think of how to fix your team
Kunlespur2
0
shut up..even you yourself saw Maguire playing netball with Ipswich Town but VAR didn't even show it...they were looking for a offside but it was suppose to be a possible handball for Maguire
The rule is the rule. Stfu.
dokaclnosz
0
Martinez never had the ball in his hands
Stop lying, it’s a shame to say that
Expensive597
0
Martinez never had the ball in his hands
Gun1
1
There was a time when the referee gave Arsenal two red cards against Chelsea. After the match, the red cards were provoked, and the referee was banned later.
Rizcioruz
0
THE ENGLISH REFEREES & VAR WILL NOT SEE ANY BAD PLAYS AGAINST CHELSEA PLAYERS ESPECIALLY WHEN PLAYING AWAY. RECALL THAT SAME GABRIEL WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SHOWN A CARD WHEN HE PUSHED ROGERS UNNECESSARY AFTER RICE HAD TRIPPED SAME PLAYER RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE REF. HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT INSPITE OF ALL THESE INJUSTICES CHELSEA WILL RISE AGAIN.
fehadeklrz
3
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea full-time
Ledbmtyz
0
shut up..even you yourself saw Maguire playing netball with Ipswich Town but VAR didn't even show it...they were looking for a offside but it was suppose to be a possible handball for Maguire
lies
Rizcioruz
0
I CONCUR with you 100%. THE
Jahaeinopz
0
we are the champions
chelsea are the champions of the world abeg go and win european cup before you comperer your team with chelsea
Fonklnrsuy
0
gabriel and arsenal are Lucky!
Guraysahaa
0
Arsenal got 3 referees decision for them so far for all 3 games. look sus
what are the two others
hehbcdklp
0
shut up..even you yourself saw Maguire playing netball with Ipswich Town but VAR didn't even show it...they were looking for a offside but it was suppose to be a possible handball for Maguire
Jimacdiln
2
you call this lucky? why do we have a referee and a VAR in a match? why did the VAR checked the incident? the keeper received medical attention and the VAR could've used that time to check what actually happened but since it was Chelsea and they didn't want Chelsea to win the game,they felt if they send Gabriel out Arsenal could've lost the game completely and if this is the league they call the best then am sorry
laqracka_
1
we are the champions
typical gooner mentality [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
zizcenrsyz
1
if Maguire or Martinez had committed a similar foul, VAR would have immediately intervened and sent them off.
Very well because Maguire is an arrogant tackler
AlwaysSoccer
2
And you are very stupid How is that related to the topic being discussed?
Bro, I swear these Arsenal fans nowadays are illiterate😬
tezaclmrtz
4
yes Gabriel is lucky but why nobody not talking about palmer too.
TheOddOne
2
Arsenal got 3 referees decision for them so far for all 3 games. look sus
NiyoMoses
2
we are the champions
And you are very stupid How is that related to the topic being discussed?
Yebdeklnpt
3
Chelsea has always been the victim from poor refereeing, poor VAR decisions etc. When they're against you, that's it
Lubcdikstu
4
if Maguire or Martinez had committed a similar foul, VAR would have immediately intervened and sent them off.
Wendnorsu
5
U must have been good footballers and now good analysts but not footballing officials( refrees).