Late VAR Drama at the Emirates The Premier League has clarified why Kai Havertz’s late goal for Arsenal against Aston Villa was disallowed, a decision that left Gunners fans frustrated and impacted their Premier League title race.
The Incident
In the dying moments of the match, Havertz deflected a shot into the Villa net, sparking celebrations among the Arsenal players. However, the on-field referee paused play, and following a VAR review, the goal was disallowed due to a handball by Havertz.
Premier League’s Explanation
The Premier League’s Match Centre posted the following statement on their X (formerly Twitter) account:
“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 be disallowed.”
According to the handball rules, any contact with the arm or hand that leads to a goal, whether intentional or not, results in the goal being ruled out.
Arsenal’s Second-Half Collapse
The Gunners were initially in control but conceded two second-half goals to Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins. The late VAR decision added to Arsenal’s misery, as they dropped two crucial points in the Premier League title race.
Key Takeaways
Squad Depth Issues: Arsenal’s lack of attacking options was exposed, with Raheem Sterling being the only notable substitute.
Transfer Targets: The Gunners are reportedly eyeing Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa to bolster their attack.
Title Race Impact: Meanwhile, Liverpool strengthened their position in the title race with a late win, increasing the pressure on Arsenal.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
Mikel Arteta’s side must address their second-half inconsistencies and reliance on a thin attacking bench if they hope to stay in the title race. With the January transfer window open, reinforcements could make the difference in their campaign.
