Arsenal: 4 positives from last-gasp 2-1 Man City defeat

Arsenal, Gabriel — LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal is shown a second yellow card leading to a red card by Referee, Stuart Attwell for a foul on Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

4. Gabriel Misses EFL Cup – Not Premier League

Addressing the issue first, Gabriel can have no complaints about his red card. It was revealed after the game by Albert Stuivenberg that the first yellow card was for dissent – apparently no ‘bad’ words were said – while the second was pure clumsiness.

It was reminiscent of his sending off against Southampton last season, where his marker turned him near the half way line and he hauled him down with it apparently slipping his mind that he was already cautioned.

Seeing him do so is also upsetting since the rash challenges were a part of his game that had been eradicated this season. He’d improved considerably in that department. What he did against City, however, was stupid and costly.

That doesn’t mean he isn’t still vital to this team, of course. Up until that point he was having an excellent game, and if there is a silver lining it is that his suspension will be carried out against Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup tie. That game is at home, which also helps, while the next Premier League game would is away at Tottenham where he will be vitally needed.

So, thanks to a fairly recent rule change, he will be around for Spurs. Still set to be a loss for the Reds match, the league remains the priority.