The Premier League have issued a statement explaining why Kai Havertz’s potential late winner for Arsenal against Aston Villa was ruled out.
Havertz’s thought that he’d made it 3-2 to the Gunners in the 87th minute, as team-mate Mikel Merino’s shot deflected off him and into the back of the net.
But following a VAR check, the goal was ruled out as the ball was deemed to have come off Havertz’s arm and Arsenal could only come away with a draw, having been 2-0 up.
The Premier League’s Match Centre account on X (via Mirror)posted: “The Arsenal goal was awarded on-field. The VAR established that the ball hit Havertz’s arm immediately before entering the goal and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”
Arsenal looked on course to cut the gap at the top to Liverpool to just four points, having taken a two-goal lead through Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.
But second-half strikes from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins got Villa back on level terms.
The Gunners dusted themselves down and attempted to find a late winner, but they were unable to hit the back of the net – until Merino did via Havertz.
Arsenal’s £27.4million signing fired his effort towards goal and it hit Havertz en route past Emi Martinez.
Boos rang around the Emirates when referee Chris Kavanagh confirmed VAR’s decision which was also shown on the big screen, as a crestfallen Mikel Arteta sank to his knees.
“That’s what VAR is there for,” Watkins mischievously told Sky Sports post-match. Speaking to BBC Sport, Tielemans concluded: “Handball is handball when it is a goal. It is what it is.”
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