Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday has become the center of a fiery debate after Kai Havertz’s late goal was disallowed for handball, a decision that may prove pivotal in the Premier League title race.
With just five minutes remaining at the Emirates Stadium, Havertz believed he had secured a dramatic winner after Mikel Merino’s deflected shot found the net via the German’s body. However, Aston Villa players quickly surrounded referee Chris Kavanagh, claiming a handball in the build-up.
Moments later, VAR confirmed the ball had made contact with Havertz’s arm before crossing the goal line, leading to the goal being chalked off.
Mixed Reactions to the Decision
Villa forward Ollie Watkins, speaking after the match, admitted the decision might have been harsh on Arsenal.
“Seeing it back, I’m not sure,” Watkins told Sky Sports. “It’s gone in our favor, but if that was against me, I think I’d be disappointed. That’s what VAR is there for.”
Slow-motion footage of the incident, now circulating online, has divided fans and pundits alike. While some believe the correct call was made, others argue the evidence isn’t clear-cut.
One fan on social media remarked, “This is genuinely not handball, it hits his stomach. PGMOL gifting Liverpool the title again.” Another added, “From this angle, it sure doesn’t look like it hit his hand. How did VAR miss this one?”
Others disagreed, with one saying, “It’s handball and he knows what he’s doing. Arsenal fans just complaining as usual.”
Watch the video:
Arteta and Arsenal Respond
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed the controversy in his post-match comments, acknowledging the ambiguity of the incident.
“Yes, I saw it,” Arteta said. “From one angle, it does not look like [a handball], and from another angle, it does. The decision has been made.”
The result leaves Arsenal six points behind league leaders Liverpool, with Aston Villa capitalizing on the chaos to secure a crucial point.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
The Gunners will now shift their focus to their upcoming Champions League fixture against Dinamo Zagreb. Meanwhile, the debate over VAR’s consistency continues to dominate discussions, with fans and analysts divided on whether the technology is living up to its promise of fairness and clarity.
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