Chelsea vs Arsenal: Gooners react angrily to Gabriel's sending off after tangle with Chelsea's Diego Costa

The Brazilian defender received his marching orders just before half-time

Diego Costa and Gabriel square up during Chelsea's clash with Arsenal (Getty Images)

Tempers flared at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Arsenal this lunch-time as Gabriel Paulista received his marching orders, purportedly for a stamp on Diego Costa.

The pair had only just received a yellow card each, after Costa's tangle with Laurent Koscielny in the away side's penalty area had enraged players on both sides.

Gabriel was particularly displeased with Costa and the two took turns to lash out at each other's faces. Referee Mike Dean issued a booking apiece but the furore did not stop there.

As Petr Cech prepared to take the resulting free-kick, Gabriel appeared to scrape his studs down Costa's shin, although the Spain striker certainly made the most of whatever contact was made. Dean added a red to Gabriel's yellow but, as the original aggressor, Costa was also lucky to remain on the pitch.

Arsenal fans felt aggrieved by the decision at half-time and vented their frustrations on social media.

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