Former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes criticized Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes for escaping a red card after a controversial tackle in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea. The match, which helped Arsenal maintain their perfect start to the new Premier League season, saw Gabriel avoid punishment despite kicking Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the head during a chaotic scramble in the box. The referee’s view was blocked by other players, and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not intervene, a decision that surprised Scholes and fellow Manchester United legend Nicky Butt. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes said, “He should have been sent off. I missed it at first but it should be a red card. He’s gone miles over the bar.” When host Paddy McGuinness remarked that Gabriel “gets away with murder,” Scholes agreed, explaining how some players seem to escape consequences for serious fouls while others are more strictly policed. “You get some players like that,” he said. “Say me or Nicky made a foul, we got booked. Then there’s other players who can make ten fouls a game and nothing happens.” Nicky Butt echoed Scholes’ frustration, calling the decision “ridiculous” and questioning the purpose of VAR if such clear fouls go unpunished. Former England captain Wayne Rooney also weighed in, saying on BBC’s Match of the Day that Gabriel’s kick at Martinez was a clear sending-off offense. “When you see a replay, Martinez has got the ball in his hands and Gabriel boots him in the head,” Rooney said. “He’s extremely lucky to stay on the pitch.” Despite the controversy, Arsenal continued their strong start to the season, defeating Chelsea to keep their unbeaten record intact. Manager Mikel Arteta praised his team’s resilience, saying, “I enjoyed the way we competed; we took risks, it was a joy to watch and an incredible game.” Gabriel, who has become one of the top defenders in the world, has been instrumental in Arsenal’s success, including their first Premier League title since 2004 last season.