Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain available for Swansea clash

The left-back was mistakenly shown a red card for handball against Chelsea on Saturday, while his Arsenal team-mate, who was the actual offender, has also escaped punishment

Both Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be available for Arsenal's clash with Swansea on Tuesday, with neither player to face suspension.

Gibbs was sent off for handball against Chelsea on Saturday - an offence actually committed by his team-mate - and the Gunners have successfully appealed the red card due to mistaken identity.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, meanwhile, escapes punishment despite being the true culprit because Eden Hazard's strike was sailing wide of the far post.
An FA statement read: "An Independent Regulatory Commission today heard two claims from Arsenal, one of mistaken identity and the other of wrongful dismissal, both in relation to Saturday’s game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.


"The commission ruled that the dismissal of Kieran Gibbs was a case of mistaken identity and transferred this to his team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

"Subsequent to deciding this matter, the commission then considered Arsenal’s claim for wrongful dismissal in relation to Oxlade-Chamberlain. This claim was upheld, meaning Oxlade-Chamberlain will not serve any suspension with the standard punishment withdrawn with immediate effect."

Manager Arsene Wenger, speaking ahead of Tuesday's encounter with Swansea, anticipated that both players would escape punishment.

"The sending off is simple," said the Frenchman. "If the red card is rescinded we will have Chamberlain available.

"I believe there are two situations. First, mistaken identity so Gibbs will normally be available, which is the minimum you can expect. After that the second decision depends on whether Chamberlain deserves a red card or not.

"There the rules are quite clear. If the ball will go in the back of the net it is a red card. If the ball will miss the target it is not a red card, so I believe that this red card will go as well and Chamberlain will be available."