Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson avoided a sending-off after the forward forcefully caught the ankle of Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu in the first-half. Jackson received no punishment from the match official or VAR despite Arsenal players arguing that the Chelsea striker deserved a red card.
Arsenal somehow managed to secure a thumping 5-0 win over Mauricio Pochettino’s men but the VAR controversy again became one of the focal points in the London derby.
Tomiyasu looked in pain after Jackson’s reckless challenge and the referee awarded a free-kick but decided against booking the Senegal international. A yellow card would have ruled out the out-of-form Chelsea striker for the next two games as he currently remains on nine yellow cards this season.
The decision proved to be controversial as Nicolas Jackson was lucky to continue playing on the pitch, let alone get away without a yellow card.
Rio Ferdinand warranted VAR explanation after Nicolas Jackson’s red card escape
Former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand is in disbelief after Jackson avoided a red card following a harsh challenge on Arsenal right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu. The Chelsea forward went studs-up into the defender’s ankle who immediately fell to the ground as a result of the challenge.
Jackson’s aggressive playing style has seen him accumulate five yellow cards in his first few games this season, subsequently adding another four in his tally during the campaign.
“We all couldn’t believe it was not looked at by VAR,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
“We couldn’t believe it. We have seen so many instances this season as bad, if not even anywhere near as bad as this. You think to yourself, wow, they have been sent off and they have not even looked at it.”