- Mikel Merino’s late strike was ruled out after the ball struck Kai Havertz’s arm
- Pundit Paul Merson was shocked by Havertz’s reaction in the last-gasp drama
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Are Everton where they deserve to be or are the club’s fans delusional?
Paul Merson was left stunned by Kai Havertz’s bizarre reaction after his handball saw Arsenal’s late goal ruled out in their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked on course to close the gap on runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool after goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz, but Villa hit back in a breathless second half through Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.
The result leaves the Gunners six points adrift of top spot, although the deficit appeared to have been slashed when Merino’s strike deflected in at the death.
Merino pulled the trigger from the edge of the box and a nick off Havertz left Emi Martinez beaten, sparking wild celebrations around the Emirates. However, the goal was promptly chalked off after replays showed the ball struck the forward’s arm.
Havertz appeared convinced that the goal would stand despite his intervention and speaking post-match, Merson was scathing in his assessment of his behaviour.
‘I can’t believe Havertz has run away,’ Merson said on Sky Sports.
Kai Havertz’s handball saw Arsenal’s late goal ruled out in their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa
Havertz looked to plead innocence, claiming that the ball had instead struck his midriff
Pundit Paul Merson was stunned by the forward’s reaction, saying he ‘couldn’t believe’ it
‘It’s hit his hand and he’s run off. I can understand if it’s in the Championship, you’re going to get away with it, there’s no VAR.’
Fellow pundit Lee Hendrie then claimed that Havertz would have known VAR would intervene, to which Merson replied: ‘It’s not a tight one.’
Havertz pleaded innocence but claimed that the ball had instead struck his midriff but VAR did not take long to overturn the goal, which was initially given on-field.
‘The Arsenal goal was awarded on-field,’ a statement from the Premier League Match Centre read. ‘The VAR established that the ball hit Havertz’s arm immediately before entering the goal and recommended that the goal was disallowed.’
Watkins, though, believes it was a lucky escape for Villa.
‘Seeing it back there I am not sure, I think it’s gone in favour for us. If that was against me I think I would be disappointed,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘From that angle I’m not sure but that’s what VAR is there for.’
Dejected Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta disagreed with Watkins’ verdict.
‘It looks like handball in one of the cameras,’ he said.
‘It’s difficult because we have so much emotion, the celebration and it’s taken away from you. Not easy.’
