Arsenal get red card review as Man City star avoids punishment for 'denial of obvious goalscoring opportunity' | OneFootball

The fallout from Sunday’s title showdown continues as both teams were lucky to keep all 11 players on the pitch

Abdukodir Khusanov was fortunate not to have been sent-off in Manchester City’s win over Arsenal, says former Premier League referee chief Keith Hackett.

Khusanov and his centre-back partner Marc Guehi were tasked with keeping Kai Havertz quiet as Mikel Arteta opted to start the German up front instead of big-money summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.

While it was nothing like the battle that ensued between Gabriel and Erling Haaland, there was a flashpoint in the second half when Havertz was running through on goal only to be outmuscled by Khusanov.

However, upon reviewing the incident, Hackett believes Khusanov should have been dismissed for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

“An Arsenal player was in an attacking position heading for his opponent’s goal, chased down by a Manchester City defender who used his arm to prevent progress,” Hackett told Football Insider.

“The result, the Arsenal player feeling contact goes to ground rather easily.

Appeal: Kai Havertz

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“At this point, Anthony Taylor awarded a free-kick and then there is no doubt in my mind that the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity has clearly taken place and that would have resulted in a red card for the Manchester City player.

“On reviewing the video, I think the Manchester City player is rather fortunate not to have been dismissed and Anthony Taylor not viewing this as a foul and hence the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.”

Hackett also added that Arsenal should have been reduced to ten-men following the incident involving Gabriel and Haaland.

The Brazilian appeared to lean his head into Haaland’s face after the pair squared up to each other, and Hackett believed it should have “resulted in a straight red” for the Gunners’ central defender.