Watford boss Javi Gracia delighted Christian Kabasele can play against Arsenal
Friday 28 September 2018 20:47, UK
Javi Gracia is thrilled he will be able to call upon Christian Kabasele for the trip to Arsenal, after the defender's successful appeal against a red card picked up against Tottenham.
Kabasele was sent off just four minutes after coming on a substitute in the midweek Carabao Cup exit to Spurs, after referee Lee Mason penalised him for a foul on Dele Alli in the penalty area.
But the centre-back's appeal for wrongful dismissal was upheld by the Football Association on Friday and Gracia revealed he never had any doubt the right outcome would be achieved.
"It was hard to accept that decision because during the game I thought it wasn't a penalty and that it wasn't a red card," Gracia said.
"And now, in this moment, Kabasele is available for me for the next game and I am very pleased about that. I was sure he would be able to play and I think it is fair because we didn't deserve that decision."
Saturday's short trip to the Emirates sees Gracia reunited with Arsenal boss Unai Emery whom he spent a season playing alongside when the pair were at Real Sociedad in the mid-1990s.
Gracia admitted the pair remain close but says he is fearful of an Arsenal side who head into this weekend's clash off the back of six straight wins in all competitions.
"I can see Emery's style in this Arsenal as I saw in Sevilla and in other teams he has trained before," the Watford boss said.
"I know they are good team because they have good players and they are improving game-by-game and getting better results. They are in a good moment and we know it."
