If fans thought the penalty Arsenal won against Bayer Leverkusen was questionable, then the reason for Kai Havertz’s booking was even more so.
Arsenal’s draw with Bayer Leverkusen was a game made up of uneventful moments, which is why a large section of the discourse after the match regards the penalty.
Bayer Leverkusen are fuming with the penalty call that came after Noni Madueke went down in the box under Malik Tillman’s challenge in the 89th minute.
Granted, it was a soft penalty, but it wasn’t the most controversial decision I saw referee Halil Umut Meler make on the night.
Answer honestly, what would your reaction be if this penalty was awarded AGAINST Arsenal?
Kai Havertz’s yellow card against Bayer Leverkusen was inexplicable
The penalty ruckus unfolded in the 89th minute, but the real controversy happened five minutes later.
In the 94th minute, Meler showed Kai Havertz a yellow card after an Arsenal corner, and the reason is still unclear.
It wasn’t a case of a borderline bookable offence or a petulant action towards the referee, as when watching it unfold, Havertz simply stood in the box while having Alejandro Grimaldo’s hands around him.
For some reason, Meler blew the whistle and booked Havertz, a decision that even the forward himself would struggle to explain, as he had his back to the ball as it entered the box.
On Sofascore, the reasoning for the booking was an ‘argument’, though when watching the match, a dispute was not evident.
I think criticism of Arsenal’s set-pieces has made referees more cautious
It was baffling, but when looking at the discourse surrounding Arsenal this season, it’s unsurprising.
Arsenal entered the game being known for their set-piece strength on the back of a week of pundits and managers calling for rule changes because of the Gunners.
Ironic or justified: Liam Rosenior wants a rule change on set-pieces after losing to Arsenal
Arsenal cannot be stopped from set-play, and people don’t like it, so the next best thing is to scrutinise.
I believe that we saw the repercussions of the criticism play out against Leverkusen, as contact was made on Havertz in the box, Meler saw the Arsenal man involved and booked him.
Some want more control on grappling in the box as a result of Arsenal’s tactics, but on this occasion, it was Havertz who was on the receiving end.
The German was still booked for reasons that are unclear, in what was one of the most peculiar cautions I’ve ever seen.
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