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Arsenal to appeal for Gabriel's suspension to be reduced citing case of Chelsea's Nemanja Matic

The Brazilian defender was sent off against Chelsea on Saturday

Monday 21 September 2015 15:57 BST

Gabriel walks off the field at Stamford Bridge (Getty Images)

Arsenal are prepared to ask the Football Association to reduce Gabriel's ban from three games to two.

The Brazilian defender was sent off during his side's clash with Chelsea on Saturday after tangling with opposition striker Diego Costa, who has been widely criticised for his deliberate provocation of Gabriel.

The north London club will ask the FA to follow the precedent set in a case involving Nemanja Matic last season.

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Thibaut Courtois

An initially innocuous challenge from Alexis Sanchez cut his afternoon short. 5

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Branislav Ivanovic

With his menacing gallops up field, Chelsea’s reliable right-back delivered a predictably assured display. Whenever Mesut Ozil drifted onto the flank, the German was second best. 7

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Gary Cahill

Launching into a wild tackle on Alexis Sanchez, Gary Cahill’s actions led to unsavoury scenes on the touchline. With his manager squabbling with Arsene Wenger for much of the tie as a result, the England centre-back delivered a decent shift. 7

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John Terry

Stood firm in a typically combative manner. Dealt with the threats of Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez with relative ease for large periods. 7

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Cesar Azpilicueta

Predominantly tasked with dealing with either Santi Cazorla or Mesut Ozil, with the pair swapping positions often, the Spanish defender was up to the task. 7

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Nemanja Matic

Providing the steel to the support Cesc Fabregas’s silky play, the Serb proved once again why Jose Mourinho re-signed him in January. A commanding day’s work. 7

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Cesc Fabregas

Played in Eden Hazard to win a penalty in the first half after a superb run through a labyrinth of red shirts. Was booed regularly by a small section of Gunners fans but responded in the best way possible. 7

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Andre Schurrle

Substituted in the 68th minute, after a lively display, the German midfielder didn’t stop running. Lacking a precision to his passing which could have put Chelsea into commanding positions, however, he may believe he could have done more. 6

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Oscar

Put in a defensive shift when called upon while providing his usual mix of flair and composure up front. 6

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Eden Hazard

After expertly ‘winning’ the penalty which gave Chelsea a springboard of which to build upon, the Belgian was a constant threat who Arsenal struggled to contend with. 7

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Diego Costa

Got on the score sheet again with a delightful chip over Wojciech Szczesny’s head, but may be remembered for an extraordinary miss from four yards in the latter stages. An otherwise impressive display. 7

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Wojciech Szczesny

Had little to do before he had to pick the ball out of his own net after Hazard’s penalty. Still looked nervy when given time, and left himself exposed to Costa’s chip when he chose to come out, though there was little else he could do. 6

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Calum Chambers

Struggled to deal with the pace of Chelsea’s counter-attack and picked up a booking when he brought down Hazard. Could’ve been sent-off when he tackled Schurrle on the edge of the box. 5

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Per Mertesacker

Tried to boss the defence lie usual, but couldn’t cope with the pace of Costa when the striker was allowed to run at him, such as the second goal demonstrated. 6

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Laurent Koscielny

Dived in on Hazard to give away the penalty but the Belgian should’ve been stopped a long time before he got there. Appears to have lost the reliability he and Mertesacker built last season. 5

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Kieran Gibbs

Offered Arsenal an out on the left flank and combined well with Sanchez. Looked much more exposed when Özil played in front of him, but probably Arsenal’s best defender on the day. 6

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Mathieu Flamini

Brought control to the midfield and played quite well without being spectacular. Put in a few hard tackles in the first half, but he certainly isn’t the answer to Arsenal’s problems at defensive midfield. 6

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Mesut Ozil

How he managed to last the 90 minutes is anyone’s guess. Looked off the pace and was poor throughout, his touch to knock the ball straight out on the hour mark summed up his performance. 4

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Jack Wilshere

Had a brilliant chance to level the score after half-an-hour but his heavy touch allowed Cech to rush out and gather the ball. Showed two lovely runs in the second half, but left when the game was over. 7

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Santi Cazorla

Went close for Arsenal when he shot first time from the edge of the box, only to see it go narrowly wide of the right-hand post. Was far from impressed at being subbed off. 6

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Alexis Sanchez

A constant threat down the left wing and posed a number of problems to Ivanovic. Wenger is still yet to work out where he can get the best out of Sanchez though. Terrific in tracking back, and lucky not to get hurt from Cahill’s challenge. 7

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Danny Welbeck

Appeared a lonely figure up front at times, and when he needed to put in a big performance he ultimately failed. Still, showed some classy touches, especially when he floated left towards Sanchez. 6

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On that occasion, the Chelsea midfielder had a suspension reduced after reacting angrily to a dangerous tackle by Ashley Barnes.

The governing body's panel took into account that Matic had been provoked by Barnes' hefty challenge and used a moderate "level of force" when pushing the Burnley player over.

Should Gabriel's ban be reduced, he would only miss his side's fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One Cup and the trip to Leicester City in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old would then be available for Arsenal's upcoming meeting with Manchester United at the Emirates.

The club will decide whether to appeal the length of the ban once referee Mike Dean's report has been reviewed by the FA on Monday.

Ashley Barnes is surrounded by Chelsea players after his tackle on Nemanja Matic (Getty)

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger will not face disciplinary charges despite describing Dean's performance as "naive", it is understood.

"For me, it is always in provocation and he uses well the naivety of Mike Dean today," Wenger said after the defeat.

"Look at the pictures, it tells you a lot on slow motion. Before the cross comes in he hits him," he continued.

"The fact is surprising that Diego Costa got away with what he did, that we go into half-time with a red card and he stays on the pitch.

"They [referees] are professional people, and they have to make the right decision."

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