Tim Sherwood believes that Erling Haaland could have influenced a key refereeing decision had he gone to ground after an incident involving Gabriel. He suggested that such an outcome might have had serious consequences for Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge.
According to Sherwood, if Haaland had reacted differently, Gabriel could have been shown a straight red card, which would have resulted in a three-match suspension. He also argued that Arsenal are significantly weaker defensively without the Brazilian, making any potential absence particularly damaging during a crucial stage of the season.
Sherwood Raises Hypothetical Red Card Scenario
The incident in question came during Sunday’s Premier League fixture in which Haaland and Gabriel were closely matched throughout. The Norwegian striker managed to score the decisive goal despite being tightly marked for much of the game, highlighting the intensity of their duel.
Sherwood suggested that Haaland’s decision not to go to ground may have prevented Arsenal from facing a much more difficult situation in the title race.
Speaking via the Metro, Sherwood said: “I think Erling Haaland has kept Arsenal in the title race by not going down. If he goes down, he gets sent off, 100 per cent.”
Competitive Duel Between Haaland And Gabriel
The battle between Haaland and Gabriel was one of the standout contests of the match, with both players maintaining a high level of physical and tactical engagement. Despite the intensity, both managed to remain on the pitch and avoid disciplinary consequences.
Haaland ultimately had the decisive impact by scoring the winner, which underlined his influence in key moments. Gabriel, meanwhile, contributed to a disciplined defensive performance despite being tested throughout.
While Sherwood’s comments focus on a hypothetical scenario, they reflect how fine the margins can be in top-level football, particularly in matches that carry implications for the title race.
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That’s not a red card. And by the way, Khusanov should have been red carded before that
only you know if you would say that if roles were reversed
😂
Dear me ….
Gabriel was very very very lucky. That could easily resulted in a red card. There wasn’t enough for VAR to overturn it. But if he had been sent off, again it would not have been overturned.
If there wasn’t enough for VAR to overturn it Reggie, why was Gabriel lucky?
Because the ref didn’t send him off, obviously. He easily could have.
That doesn’t make sense mate!!
Every official involved didn’t see it as a sending off offence, so why was he lucky not to have been sent off?!
Because he could easily have been sent off for that. Luckily the referee didn’t see it that way. Another on another day might. So lucky!!!
🤔 OK Reggie!!
Since when does it matter what the officials think? If they’re always right after review, then where do the complaints about decisions and bias against arsenal come from?
Sherwood is stating the common sense position – Gabriel was lucky based on previous, similar incidents. I don’t think I’ve seen a similar case where it’s been seen by officials and not resulted in a red card. I’m sure it’s happened, but it’s not the norm.
VAR works on the basis of only overturning a clear and obvious error – that doesn’t mean they all agreed with the on field decision, they just didn’t see enough to overturn it. We all recognise there are grey areas in the game – that’s why they have to say “clear and obvious”.
So the push from Haaland didn’t mean anything?
The ref was biased CorporateMan, he didn’t follow the rule book and Haaland should have been sent off for a clear and obvious mistake, but var failed to intervene!!
He also ripped his own shirt, while trying to rip Gabriel’s and Haaland was lucky that Gabriel didn’t go down play acting!!
😂😂😂😂
Only joking folks, as I feel quite happy having watched cheating Chelsea get their comeuppance and Leicester relegated.
Ken1945,
I can understand you’re stance on Chelsea. But you’re stance on Leicester isn’t so clear to me. Can you please enlighten me?.
It wasn’t much of a push, TBH. Not enough to cause such a potentially violent overreaction.
I haven’t seen anyone get a red card for pushing another players head with his, and I’ve seen a lot cos it happens almost all the time in heated matches, I don’t see why Gabriel should see red too. It was a fair physical confrontation with both not wanting to be intimidated by the other, the ref and var got it right. End of .
I have seen players getting sent off for similar incidents, but as an Arsenal fan, I’m certainly biased and don’t see why Gabriel should see red too.
Off the top of my head, Fabian Schar was sent off for pushing a Southampton player with his head. Douglas Luiz too, for something similar on Mitrovic. I’m sure those who watch more football than me would be able to point out more controversial incidents like that
Sushi,
You’re quote, off the top of my head. I saw what you did there. 😂
Its violent conduct and violent conduct, is (or can be) a red card.