Javi Gracia is “very pleased” to have Watford’s Christian Kabasele available for selection for Saturday’s game against Arsenal after his red-card was rescinded.

Kabasele was controversially sent off during the Carabao Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur in mid-week having only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, after he was adjudged to have brought down Dele Alli inside the penalty area by referee Lee Mason.

The laws of the game clearly state that a player can only be dismissed for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity if he has made no attempt to play the ball. Replays, however, showed that this wasn’t the case, with there being minimal contact between both players.

It was confirmed earlier today that the Golden Boys had been successful with their appeal and a statement from the FA read: “Christian Kabasele’s one-match suspension has been withdrawn with immediate effect after his wrongful dismissal claim was upheld.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 Hotspur on Wednesday [26/09/18].”

Kabasele has been an ever present for Watford during the Premier League this campaign, with the Belgium international forging an impressive partnership with Craig Cathcart at the back.

Losing the 27-year-old for this weekend’s match against Arsenal would have been a huge blow, and head coach Gracia is delighted to have him available again.

He said: “I spoke about that after the game. It was hard to accept that decision because during the game I thought it wasn’t a penalty or red card.

“In this moment, Kabasele is available for me for the next game and I’m very pleased. I was sure he would be able to play and I think it is fair because we didn’t deserve that decision.”