The Premier League has released a statement clarifying why Kai Havertz’s potential late goal for Arsenal against Aston Villa was disallowed. Havertz believed he had scored to make it 3-2 for the Gunners in the 87th minute when a shot from his teammate Mikel Merino deflected off him into the net. However, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed because the ball was considered to have touched Havertz’s arm.
Consequently, Arsenal ended the match with a draw, despite leading 2-0 earlier. The Premier League’s Match Centre account on X (via Mirror) shared: “The Arsenal goal was awarded on-field.” The VAR determined that the ball struck Havertz’s arm just before going into the goal and advised that the goal should be disallowed.
Arsenal seemed poised to reduce their deficit to Liverpool to just four points after taking a two-goal lead thanks to Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. However, goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins in the second half brought Aston Villa back to an equal score.
The Gunners regrouped and tried to score a late winner, but they couldn’t find the net until Merino’s shot deflected off Havertz into the goal. Boos echoed around the Emirates Stadium when referee Chris Kavanagh confirmed the VAR decision, which was also displayed on the big screen, leaving a dejected Mikel Arteta on his knees.
“That’s what VAR is there for,” Watkins playfully commented to Sky Sports after the match. In an interview with BBC Sport, Tielemans stated: “A handball is considered a handball when it results in a goal.” It’s just the way it is.
