Gary Lineker certain about Kai Havertz handball decision but Danny Murphy makes bold Arsenal claim

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Arsenal are still recovering from the heartache of having a last-gasp winner against Aston Villa disallowed. 

The Gunners drew 2-2 with Aston Villa at the Emirates, a desperately frustrating result considering that Mikel Arteta’s side led by two goals. 

Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring before Kai Havertz added a second however, two lackadaisical passages of play allowed Villa a way back in. 

Youri Tielemans beat Mikel Merino to the ball to give the visitors a lifeline before Ollie Watkins netted the equaliser eight minutes later, but Arsenal’s misery didn’t end there. 

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Gary Lineker and Danny Murphy agree on Kai Havertz handball decision

Moments before the 90th minute, Merino thought he’d scored the winner for the hosts although, celebrations inside the Emirates were cut short. 

Havertz handled the ball as Merino’s shot ricocheted off the German’s arm, seeing referee Chris Kavanagh overturn the goal following VAR intervention.

The decision certainly split opinion in what was a harsh, but understandable call, with the matter later being discussed on BBC Match of the Day. 

Gary Lineker admitted he had ‘no doubt’ about Kavanagh’s decision, an opinion echoed by fellow pundit Danny Murphy.

“No doubt about the handball was there?” Lineker said. 

“No, it was the right decision,” Murphy responded, before making a claim that Arsenal fans will agree with.

“Things seem to be going against Arsenal right now,” he said.

“Those little decisions. I thought Arsenal were brilliant in some parts of the game but [they] can’t get over the line.”

There was certainly an improvement from Arsenal in the final although the Gunners’ luck in front of goal continued to be tested, something that Murphy noted. 

What another Premier League draw means for Arsenal 

Once again, Arteta’s side dropped points in the Premier League, suffering their eighth draw of the 2024/25 campaign. 

Arsenal usurped their 2023/24 draw tally back in December, portraying the dip in standard in the squad this term. 

The Villa result leaves the Gunners six points and a game in hand behind Liverpool after 22 played, with Nottingham Forest close on Arteta’s tail in third.

It’s now been three fixtures since Arsenal last won consecutive Premier League games, with the remainder of the January transfer window set to be make or break for the squad.