VAR provides Arsenal pen for Havertz’s leg drag and harshly denies Bournemouth purpose

Kai Havertz was both lauded and laughed at for his role in Arsenal’s breakthrough goal against Bournemouth.

The Gunners went in at the break with a 1-0 lead at home to the Cherries thanks to Bukayo Saka’s opener from 12 yards. But Mikel Arteta’s side might never have had the chance were it not for Havertz’s supposed theatrics in the Bournemouth box.

Replays showed the former Chelsea attacker appear to intentionally drag his left leg along the ground in a very unnatural fashion. Goalkeeper Mark Travers couldn’t stop his slide in time to prevent making contact with Havertz, who promptly hit the deck as the whistle was blown.

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However, it was enough to convince the VAR and referee David Coote that a penalty was the deserved reward. It came not long after Ryan Christie went unpunished for a studs-up challenge on Saka that very arguably deserved a straight sending off.

Pundit Stan Collymore commented: “Instead of giving these as penalties, if we’re serious about getting rid of simulation, this should be a yellow card for Havertz.” And journalist Miguel Delaney remarked: “A classic ‘manufactured’ penalty with how Havertz took the opportunity of the goalkeeper’s legs out.”

Meanwhile, one fan wrote: “Few players are smart to get these decisions right in their favour. Havertz clearly knew what he was doing.”

Bournemouth were further devastated when Leandro Trossard doubled the hosts’ leads in north London prior to having their own goal chalked off. Antoine Semenyo thought he’d pulled his side back into the match before VAR ruled Dominic Solanke had fouled David Raya in the buildup.

Fans fumed over the soft nature of that decision, which appeared to confirm VAR luck was not on the Cherries’ side in their trip to north London.