Arsenal vs Brighton ref watch: Three decisions John Brooks got wrong

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Brooks was criticised for failing to send Xavi Simons off after his challenge on Virgil van Dijk, with the video assistant referee asking him to review it.Credit: ImagoJohn Brooks fails to book Viktor GyokeresBrooks was keen to keep his cards in his pockets in the early stages of Saturday’s game, but he likely should have produced a yellow one in the 22nd minute. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Viktor Gyokeres was tracking back, and attempted to use his shoulder to nudge the Turkey international off the ball.The Brighton man had already knocked the ball away, however and was taken down by the Swede.

The incident appeared to be an obvious chance for Brooks to produce his yellow card, but he instead just gave the striker a talking-to, much to the frustration of the visitors.Diego Gomez gets away with kicking the ball awayIt was this very same fixture last season that prompted a huge discussion about the rules. Gomez provided a perfect example when, in the 28th minute, he poked the ball past David Raya despite the whistle having already gone for his foul on William Saliba.Arsenal complained, but Brooks decided against handing the forward a yellow card.Brooks may reconsider Bart Verbruggen yellowThe biggest moment of the game, from a referee’s perspective, came right at the end of the first half.Gyokeres was running onto a long ball, and just got a touch on the ball to take it past the oncoming Bart Verbruggen.Much of the immediate discussion centred around the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.

Brooks immediately reached for his pocket and brought out a yellow card, with the video assistant referee confirming the decision. But when watching the incident back, the referee may look more closely at the challenge itself.