Arsenal pair cleared to face Swansea after FA appeal

Arsenal will have defender Kieran Gibbs and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain available against Swansea on Tuesday after appeals to the English Football Association.

Full-back Gibbs was shown a red card in a case of mistaken identity by referee Andre Marriner during the first half of Saturday's 6-0 loss at Chelsea, instead of Oxlade-Chamberlain, who handled the ball in the six-yard box and admitted his guilt at the time but was waved away.

The FA confirmed on Monday night the sanction against Gibbs had been removed and transferred onto Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal then subsequently moved to have that offence downgraded on appeal, claiming the England midfielder had not technically prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity as the shot from Chelsea's Eden Hazard looked to be going wide.

That was also upheld, leaving Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain free to face Swansea.

A statement from the FA 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 teammate 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 This claim was upheld, meaning Oxlade-Chamberlain will not serve any suspension with the standard punishment withdrawn with immediate effect.”

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