Arsenal may have lost the battle at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but many fans feel like they have won the war following the Football Association's decision to rescind Gabriel Paulista's red card.
The Brazilian centre-back was given his marching orders by Mike Dean after appearing to swing a back-heeled kick at Chelsea striker Diego Costa. It was the culmination of a large altercation that appears to have been sparked by Costa's decision to grab Laurent Koscielny's face as if it was the last turkey on Christmas Eve. After the match, Arsene Wenger even admitted that Gabriel deserved a red card but fumed at the referee's decision to let Costa continue in the game.
However, after Arsenal's legal team combed through TV replays, a dossier was handed over to the FA claiming that Gabriel did not deserve to be sent off, and they have been successful.
The defender, who could play against Tottenham Hotspur in tonight's Capital One Cup tie, took to Instagram to celebrate the delightful news.
He said: "God is always fair. I want to thank @arsenal for all they have done for me!
#gabrielisagunner".
In what will surely infuriate Jose Mourinho, Costa was given a three-match ban for his role in the 2-0 victory over the Gunners after a specialist FA panel decided he was guilty of violent conduct. He will miss the Capital One Cup tie against Walsall as well as Premier League games against Newcastle and Southampton.
Gabriel may yet face a ban himself, albeit a shorter one, after being charged with improper conduct for not leaving the pitch in a swift manner after being sent off.
