Exclusive: Ex-refs chief shares verdict on Gabriel penalty incident in Arsenal win vs Atletico Madrid

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The incident came with Arsenal 1-0 up in the 51st minute of the second-leg clash, as Guiliano Simeone was bundled over with the goal gaping after he pounced on William Saliba’s error to round David Raya.Referee Daniel Siebert was unmoved, and his decision was upheld after a VAR review, leaving Bukayo Saka’s 45th-minute effort enough to send Arsenal into the Champions League final. Arsenal’s victory over Atletico has set up a date with either Bayern Munich or PSG in the 30 May final, but it could have been different had the Gabriel incident been viewed in another way. ⚽ Arsenal Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert verdicts and previews, and tactical analysis for every Gunners fixture.

VISIT THE ARSENAL MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Keith Hackett in no doubt over Gabriel penalty shoutDiego Simeone and his Atletico team were left fuming when Siebert waved away their appeals, as they were left with just a corner rather than a penalty and a possible red card. However, Hackett feels that the referee and VAR were correct in their view of the challenge, which he believes was not enough to warrant a penalty or a red.“This is certainly very untidy defending by Gabriel, who puts his left arm on the shoulder of his opponent,” Hackett told Football Insider.

“I do not believe that contact is sufficient to award a penalty kick followed by a red card for the obvious denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, when Simeone feels the arm, he starts to lean backwards into his opponent.“VAR then has to look closely at the ongoing challenge where the feet of Gabriel came into contact with his opponent.“VAR have reviewed this, and there is insufficient evidence to award a penalty kick and to issue a red card for DOGSO.”Arsenal unfortunate not to have a penalty of their ownFootball Insider paid close attention to the referee’s performance during Arsenal’s win over Atletico, as Siebert made some questionable decisions throughout the evening. A swift VAR check decided that it was not enough to warrant a penalty for Arsenal, but they could certainly have counted themselves unlucky not to have been handed the chance to score from 12 yards. 💰 ARSENAL INSIDER UPDATE 💰 Inside the transfer budget, player wages, new kits, off-pitch deals and boardroom developments at Emirates Stadium.