Watford defender Christian Kabasele has been cleared to face Arsenal tomorrow after his club won their appeal against his red card at Tottenham.
Kabasele was sent off after he tripped Dele Alli to concede a penalty despite double jeopardy laws meaning a player cannot be dismissed for a genuine attempt to play the ball.
Watford head coach Javi Gracia said he “could not understand” why referee Lee Mason showed Kabasele a red card.
After reviewing the incident the FA today confirmed the decision has been overturned. Kabasele is now available to play against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
The 27-year-old has been in fine form for Watford this season, forming a good centre-back partnership with Craig Cathcart.
The pair have been a key part in Watford’s strong start to the campaign and helped the Hornets concede just six goals in their six matches. Kabasele and Cathcart will have an important role against Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette tomorrow, who were both on the scoresheet against Everton last weekend.
The FA confirmed this morning: “Christian Kabasele’s one-match suspension has been withdrawn with immediate effect after his wrongful dismissal claim was upheld. The Watford player had been sent off for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity against Tottenham.”
Watford, though, will be without Daryl Janmaat for their trip to Arsenal after the right-back was ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury. Janmaat has undergone an operation and is not expected back until November. A statement from his representatives said: “The player has undergone a minor intervention on his meniscus and is expected to be off for five to six weeks.”
Marc Navarro, who started at right-back against Tottenham on Wednesday as Watford went out of the Carabao Cup on penalties, is likely to fill in for Janmaat.
Navarro joined for £1.8million from Espanyol in the summer but has had only two appearances so far this season and they were in the Carabao Cup.
