Arsenal are just 90 minutes away from their first Premier League title in over two decades after Mikel Arteta’s key call following some VAR drama
Arsenal have one hand on the Premier League trophy – with Mikel Arteta’s side 90 minutes away from ending over 20 years of heartbreak in the English top flight.
The Gunners had their destiny on their own hands on Monday evening as they turned north London’s sky red with fans lining the streets en route to the Emirates. It’s their final game at home, and for some it was the last chance to see the champions elect.
And Kai Havertz was the man to make the headlines in their 1-0 win, as Arsenal now know if Manchester City slip up against Bournemouth on Tuesday evening, they will be champions of England for the first time since 2004.
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Havertz handed the Gunners the lead in the 38th minute, powering home from a corner, but he was soon the luckiest man in north London.
The German put in a shocking challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu, getting nowhere near the ball and landing studs up on the midfielder’s achilles. He was handed a yellow car, and a VAR review confirmed the decision.
“I don’t like that from Havertz. He could be in trouble The height of it and the fact it is on the standing leg. Vicious from Havertz. He is miles away from the ball,” Gary Neville said on Sky Sports.
While Rob Green added on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Studs up, both feet off the ground, it’s high. There will bunches of people referring back to still images where there have been red cards. He is a lucky boy.
“You speak to the players and ask which tackles do you want to eradicate and it’s those ones.”
While the Premier League Match Centre’s account posted: “The referee’s call of yellow card to Havertz was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed not to be serious foul play.”
Arteta’s biggest decision of the night came a few minutes later, the first chance he had to hook Havertz he was off.
“Good management from Arteta to bring Kai Havertz off…coz that was a straight red,” one fan posted. As a second said: “Arteta sharp sharp sub Havertz!”
Had the Gunners gone down to 10-men for the first time this season, it could have proved disastrous. In the end, Arteta made the smart decision, one that could finally deliver a title to the Emirates.