LATEST NEWS: Arsenal and Tottenham legends concur that Gabriel’s goal should have been disallowed in the North London derby.
Arsenal’s Gabriel was fortunate that his goal was allowed to stand in Sunday’s North London derby, according to Arsenal legend Paul Merson and ex-Tottenham star Les Ferdinand.
The Brazilian defender’s header secured a crucial victory for the Gunners, who were missing key players Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Despite these absences, Arsenal managed to grind out a narrow win, with Gabriel’s goal being the difference.
Tottenham, meanwhile, dominated possession and created several chances, but found it difficult to break down Arsenal’s well-organized defense. Their inability to carve out clear opportunities added to their frustrations, as did the manner of the goal they conceded.
Gabriel’s goal came from a set-piece, and it left Spurs fans fuming after replays showed what appeared to be a straightforward foul. The defender was seen pushing Tottenham’s Cristian Romero in the back to create space for his header, an action even Gunners icon Merson acknowledged as a foul.
“I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get a foul,” Merson said on Sky Sports. “Romero’s positioning was all wrong. He’s an international centre-back, but even I know you’ve got to be side-on in that situation, keeping your eye on both the ball and your opponent.”
He further explained that Romero was too close to Gabriel, allowing the Arsenal defender to get the upper hand. “To be honest, I would’ve expected the referee to call a foul.”
Ferdinand shared a similar view, expressing surprise that VAR didn’t intervene. “If a centre forward had done that, the referee would have awarded a foul,” said the former Spurs striker. “They didn’t even review it. Yes, Romero could’ve been stronger, but he clearly received a shove in the back.”
Arsenal legend Ian Wright wasn’t as definitive but acknowledged that the goal might have been disallowed. “I was surprised by how easily Romero was moved, given his quality as a defender,” Wright said on Premier League Productions. “It could have been a foul, but perhaps not enough. Still, considering the position Gabriel was in and how close he was to the goal, it was an easy goal for Arsenal to score.”