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Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson somehow avoided an early red card for a studs-up challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu in the 5-0 defeat at Arsenal.

The Blues forward was lucky not to receive his marching orders in the ninth minute at the Emirates Stadium after Tomiyasu was caught on the ankle.

Tomiyasu writhed in agony following a horror tackle from Jackson
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Tomiyasu writhed in agony following a horror tackle from Jackson

Tomiyasu instantly went to the ground, with the Gunners awarded a free-kick, but incredibly, Jackson wasn't even booked.

VAR took a brief look at the incident, but they failed to deem it as dangerous play, and ex-England international Danny Mills was shocked at the decision.

Speaking on talkSPORT commentary, he said: "I'd love to see the VAR on that, because that is a red card."

It was an opinion shared by many Arsenal fans, who were quick to take to social media to vent their anger.

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One X user messaged: "That’s a disgusting tackle from Jackson. Should be off."

Another posted: "That should be a red card for Nicolas Jackson. That’s an awful challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu."

A third added: "No idea how Nicolas Jackson is still on the pitch. That is a terrible challenge."

This supporter then commented: "How is Nicolas Jackson still on the pitch after making that horror tackle on Tomiyasu?"

Jackson somehow avoided a booking for this challenge at the Emirates
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Jackson somehow avoided a booking for this challenge at the Emirates
Tomiyasu instantly felt the pain after being studded high on the ankle
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Tomiyasu instantly felt the pain after being studded high on the ankle

Meanwhile another simply stated: "The more I see Jackson’s tackle, the more a red card it is. Shocking."

Chelsea's night would have gone from bad to worse should Jackson have been given an early bath.

The Blues were dealt a major blow ahead of the match with both Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto ruled out.

And then Leandro Trossard added to their misery by breaking the deadlock just five minutes into the London derby.

In the end, Chelsea were humiliated, as Ben White and Kai Havertz both scored second half braces.

Table-toppers Arsenal now sit a whopping 30 points clear of Chelsea in the table.

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