• Jackson fouls Tomiyasu
• Arsenal fans call for red card
• Chelsea trail to Trossard goal

WHAT HAPPENED?

After Leandro Trossard gave the Gunners a fourth-minute lead, Chelsea may have been fortunate to not be a man down as Jackson caught Tomiyasu on his ankle. To the dismay of Arsenal fans, who took to social media to vent their frustration, the Blues striker escaped a booking, too.

Should Nicolas Jackson have been sent off for this...? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/6L8y4NwwP0

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 23, 2024

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

The Short Fuse tweeted: "That should be a red card for Nicolas Jackson. That's an awful challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu. What are we doing here?"

Another wrote: "How is this not a red card for Nicolas Jackson? Tomiyasu could have broken his ankle. These refs hate Arsenal."

Debaroop wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "How is Nicolas Jackson still on that pitch? Inexplicable," and posted a clown emoji.

And Layth added: "An absolutely shocking challenge by Nicolas Jackson on Takehiro Tomiyasu. How is that not a straight red card? The Arsenal defender could have had his leg broken. Disgusting."

WHAT THE PUNDITS ARE SAYING

Former Liverpool player Didi Hamann tweeted: "How does Jackson not get sent off here? Pathetic challenge," while BBC Sport journalist Charlotte Coates put on X: "No idea how Nicolas Jackson is still on the pitch. That is a terrible challenge."

Simon Collings, of the Evening Standard, posted: "Nicolas Jackson lucky to avoid any booking there, would have been his 10th of the season and a two-game ban."

While Ryan Taylor of the Mirror added: "More VAR incompetence. Nicolas Jackson should be off there. Awful challenge. Simon Hooper should be advised to check the monitor at the very least. Baffling."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

There is a lot riding on this match at the Emirates for both sides. Arsenal are hoping to strengthen their Premier League title chances, with Mikel Arteta's men currently top of the table, and Chelsea are trying to qualify for Europe next season and a loss makes that goal a bit less attainable. Having a full complement of players will help the Blues in their bid to get a result from this clash.

WHAT NEXT?

After this contest, Arsenal are away to north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, whereas Chelsea travel to Aston Villa the day before in a crucial weekend of Premier League fixtures.