Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes that one controversial decision made in Arsenal v Brentford was in fact correct.
Plenty of people think that Kai Havertz was lucky to still be on the pitch as the final whistle blew on Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Brentford.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank was convinced that Havertz ought to have been sent off for diving. The German picked up a yellow card in the first half when a flailing arm caught an opposition player in the face as he sought to leap and challenge for a header.
After the break, with the Gunners in search of an equaliser, the 24-year-old went down in the box under pressure from Nathan Collins. Havertz was quick to try to claim a penalty, but referee Rob Jones waved the appeal away.
Replays showed that, whilst Havertz had been able to stab the ball away before Collins could get a toe on it, there was minimal contact between the players, and Havertz was already on his way to ground before the defender’s hip nudged into him.
Frank clearly feels that the former Chelsea man should have received a second yellow card for simulation. Had he been dismissed for diving at this point, then Havertz, of course, would not have been able to pop up with a winning goal, as he ultimately did in the 86th minute of this fixture.
Former Premier League referee has say on Kai Havertz incident in Arsenal win v Brentford
Havertz has been in remarkable form for Arsenal recently. Mikel Arteta will be delighted with how he has fought his way back to his best, having initially looked short on confidence after his arrival at the Emirates Stadium from Stamford Bridge in the recent summer transfer window. His strike against the Bees also sent the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table for the first time since Christmas. If he can continue in this vein of form, then Havertz will have a huge say in this season’s title race.
However, Frank will still feel that his side were ultimately cheated by the fact that Havertz’s perceived dive went unpunished on Saturday. Ex-Premier League referee, Dermot Gallagher, has now had his say on the incident.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Gallagher was asked if Havertz ought have picked up a second booking and seen red for trying to con the referee into awarding Arsenal a penalty. He said, “I think no, because I think there’s enough physical contact. I think he hits him with his hip. If you’re going to send off a player for diving, it’s got to be a clear dive for me.”
Havertz may still feel that he got away with one on this occasion.
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