Arsenal kicked off Matchweek 36 in the Premier League, with the current leaders hosting Bournemouth in a tricky showdown. With the Gunners locked in a heated title race with Manchester City, Mikel Arteta's men entered this fixture knowing anything but a win could end their campaign.
And fortunately for the North London giants, they went into half-time with a 1-0 lead. The league leaders created several goalscoring opportunities but after being frustrated for most of the first half, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 45th minute courtesy of a Bukayo Saka penalty.
However, to say that spot kick was controversial would be an understatement. The penalty was won by Kai Havertz, who was put through on goal with a one-v-one with the Bournemouth goalkeeper thanks to a sensational Martin Odegaard pass. The German did not shoot, though, instead opting to round the keeper before being brought to the ground inside the box.
The Cherries keeper stuck out his leg in an attempt to get the ball and while he missed it and made contact with Havertz's trailing leg, the replay left many accusing the German ace of diving. Did the attacker purposely leave his leg trailing to force contact? Should the penalty have been overturned by VAR? Check out the replay and you be the judge (videos are geo-restricted).
ARSENAL TAKE A CRUCIAL LEAD.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 4, 2024
Bukayo Saka converts the penalty after a foul was called on Kai Havertz in the box.
@USANetwork | #ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/3agbulhdcY
VAR in the spotlight again
— SuperSport Football (@SSFootball) May 4, 2024
Pen or no pen?
Stream #PL live: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/14YrdsKV0c
The thing is the inconsistency. Havertz clearly simulates contact. MacAllister gets kicked in the chest. One is a pen and one isn't. Make it make sense and turn VAR off
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) May 4, 2024
That is never a penalty. Havertz leaves his leg out to initate the contact. The refereeing in this country is an embarrassment
— Conn (@ConnCFC) May 4, 2024
Better angle of the Havertz pen pic.twitter.com/VBZxM53DmB
— slbsn (@slbsn) May 4, 2024
Incredible. Proof that the Premier League is willing to hand Arsenal the trophy at all costs. Havertz deliberately leaves his left foot behind to get caught. Never a pen. Shocking.
— Real Talk Manchester City (@RealTalkMCFC) May 4, 2024
Saka stepped up and slotted the ball into the back of the net with ease. It should also be noted that the English winger was on the receiving end of a dangerous knee-high tackle from Ryan Christie which left the winger needing treatment.
While the force behind the tackle was minimal, Saka and Arsenal fans were incensed when Christie escaped without even a booking, let alone a red card.
Havertz's penalty was not the only controversial VAR decision that went Arsenal's way. The visitors thought they had pulled one back in the second half following a tussle in the box for the ball between Solanke, Gabriel, Billing, and goalkeeper David Raya. However, the goal was ruled out for an alleged foul from Solanke on Raya, with VAR later upholding that call after a lengthy review.