FA Cup champions Arsenal have won their appeal against the red card given to defender Gabriel in the 2-0 loss to Chelsea on Saturday.
The Brazilian was sent off after a bizarre series of events at the end of a largely well-mannered first half of the usually feisty London derby.
Gabriel, 24, confronted Chelsea forward Diego Costa after the latter had body-checked Laurent Koscielny.
The referee, Mike Dean, booked both players for the altercation but sent off the Brazilian after he appeared to flick out his foot at the Chelsea frontman when backing into him.
All three have since come under fire for their part in the incident – Mike Dean for failing to send off Costa for striking Koscielny in the face at least twice, Costa for his conduct and Gabriel for being suckered into reacting to Costa’s taunts.
The successful appeal means that Gabriel will not have to serve the mandatory three-match suspension for straight red cards.
However, he will face a separate charge for failing to leave the pitch immediately after being sent off.
Brazilian born Spanish forward, Costa has been banned for three games for his conduct during the game while both Arsenal and Chelsea have also been cited for failing to control their players.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana