Arsenal star Gabriel free to play after winning appeal against Chelsea red card

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has received a boost ahead of the League Cup visit to Tottenham on Wednesday night (23 September) after the FA decided to withdrawn the three-match suspension to Gabriel Paulista following his red card during the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea. The Brazilian centre-back was sent off just before half-time by referee Mike Dean for kicking out at Diego Costa, just seconds after the Spanish striker shoved his hand into the face of Laurent Koscielny.

Arsene Wenger admitted after the game the Gabriel deserved the red card for his reaction but claimed that Costa should also have been sent off before while urging the FA to investigate the the Spaniard – with the FA confirming on Monday that the Chelsea striker had been retrospectively charged with violent conduct.

The Gunners therefore decided to appeal the red card to Gabriel, following the precedent set in a case involving Nemanja Matic last season, when the midfielder had a suspension reduced after reacting furiously to a heavy tackle by Burnley star Ashley Barnes.

And the FA have now confirmed the Gunners have won the appeal – meaning the Brazilian centre-back will not serve a three-match suspension and thus be available for selection against Tottenham.

"Arsenal's claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Gabriel has been upheld following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing," the FA confirmed. "The player's three-match suspension has, therefore, been withdrawn with immediate effect. Gabriel was dismissed for violent conduct during the game against Chelsea.

However, Gabriel is still subject to a separate FA charge of improper conduct to which he has until 6pm on Thursday to respond."