Gabriel’s winning goal for Arsenal in north London derby should NOT have stood, claim Paul Merson and Les Ferdinand

Paul Merson and Les Ferdinand have claimed that Gabriel’s winning goal in the north London derby should have been ruled out. 

Arsenal beat Tottenham 1-0 to move up to second in the Premier league table and make it three consecutive wins away to their local rivals. 

Gabriel’s second half header proved to be the difference, with the Brazilian leaping highest from Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner. 

However, Merson and Ferdinand insist the goal should have been disallowed as the centre back shoved Spurs’ Christian Romero in the build-up. 

‘I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get a foul. He’s in the wrong position, everything is wrong about his defending,’ former Gunners striker Merson said on Sky Sports. 

Paul Merson and Les Ferdinand claim the goal should’ve been ruled out for foul in the build-up

‘He’s a centre half international, even I know and I don’t even play at the back you got to be side on. You got to see the ball and your player. 

‘To start off you have to be a hand length away and he’s standing with him. I’d expect a foul’. 

Ferdinand admitted Romero needed to be ‘stronger’ to defend Gabriel but insiissted the push  

He said: ‘I think if a centre forward does that, the referee gives a foul against him. They don’t even look at it . He does need to be stronger. It’s poor defending but he does get a shove in his back.’

Earlier in the afternoon, Merson claimed that Arsenal defender  Jurrien Timber should have saw red for a lunge into Pedro Porro after 36 minutes. 

Gabriel’s header ensured Arsenal made it three consecutive wins away to their local rivals

‘Looking at it, he is (lucky). Naturally when you put your foot on the ball it’s always going to roll that way, it’s never going to put it on and bounce back it’s going to go that way,’  he said. 

‘He’s fortunate especially away from home and the way this referee has given out yellow cards like ice creams, he’s very fortunate.’