Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has cleared up the situation surrounding Kai Havertz and his disallowed goal by VAR in Arsenal’s Premier League draw with Aston Villa.
The Gunners took a two-goal lead at the Emirates Stadium, with Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz striking early on.
While three points appeared to be going the way of the hosts, a quickfire double from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins pegged Arsenal back.
The home support urged their side on, hopeful that another goal could still earn them victory, one they thought was already sealed.
It appeared to be in the bag when Mikel Merino’s strike deflected off of Havertz to give Arsenal the lead once again.
It wasn’t to be though, with VAR disallowing the goal for handball from Havertz right before the ball hit the back of the net.
There was some controversy to come from it though, with not everyone agreeing over the VAR call.
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Keith Hackett explains VAR call on Kai Havertz disallowed goal for Arsenal
Former head of the referees, Keith Hackett, has gone on to explain exactly why Havertz saw his goal disallowed in Arsenal’s draw with Aston Villa.
The ex-PGMOL chief brandished the decision as a “correct” one when explaining the rules behind the VAR call.
Taking to social media, Hackett said: “The law states -scores in the opponents’ goal: directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper, immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental, Goal ruled out – correct decision.”
With the ball directly striking Havertz’s hand on the way to goal, it was clear that the decision would likely result in a disallowed goal.
However, there is naturally some frustration as Arsenal felt they came close to winning a game they should’ve had wrapped up.
Ollie Watkins verdict on Kai Havertz handball in VAR overturn
While Hackett looked to explain the reason for overturning the goal decision, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins was less convinced.
The forward appeared to suggest that his side were fortunate, stating on Sky Sports: “Seeing it back there I am not sure, think it’s gone in favour for us, if that was against me I think I would be disappointed.
“From that angle I’m not sure but that’s what VAR is there for. We got the goal from Youri, we went up the pitch and he nearly scored again.
“Got a lot of momentum from that and faith when we went forward on transition there was chances to be had.
“We knew they went man-for-man, Gabriel on me, [Thomas] Partey on Jacob [Ramsey], we were man-for-man at the back and a few times I could have done better in first-half.
“Chances there to be taken and they [Arsenal] were always a little bit open.”
It suggests that, while the letter of the law has been applied, players are perhaps less convinced by their application in real-time.
Arsenal can’t feel too aggrieved though, having clearly hit the hand and throwing away a two-goal lead in the tie.
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