Arsenal were denied a first-half penalty during their Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday evening, despite VAR scrutinising the incident - and Jamie Redknapp was less than impressed with the verdict
Kai Havertz of Arsenal is challenged by Michael Keane of Everton
Kai Havertz felt he should have had a penalty during Arsenal's clash with Everton(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Jamie Redknapp lambasted VAR's decision not to award Arsenal a penalty against Everton on Saturday evening, as Kai Havertz was brought to ground by Michael Keane. The Gunners star got the better of the Toffees defender in the first-half, chasing an incisive pass from Eberechi Eze.
While it appeared as though Havertz's ankle was stepped on by Keane in the Everton box, referee Andy Madley saw no wrongdoing in the process, encouraging both sides to play on. VAR also stepped in to scrutinise the footage, but also quickly waved away any appeals for a spot kick.
However, former Liverpool star Redknapp was less than impressed by the on-field decision, as well as the backing from those upstairs. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "Watch as he goes past him, watch his left foot.
"It's so clear. How on earth have VAR took three seconds to say there's no penalty?
"It's a horrendous decision. It's a penalty, it should be overturned.
"You're stepping across to use your body, when he's in front you've got to get out of his way. You sound like VAR now (is he already going down?)
"The fact it took such a short amount of time, we see VAR decisions and everyone at home see it's not a penalty or a bad decision taking five or 10 minutes. That, they've taken three seconds, it's an absolute disgrace."
Daniel Sturridge, who joined Redknapp in analysing the first-hall from the Sky Sports studio, added: "There's enough, you can clearly see he's kicked him. He's tried to guide him, for me, he's kicked him."
The Premier League Match Centre also took to X to explain the decision, citing how there was "minimal" contact between the two players. A post read: "The referee’s call of no penalty to Arsenal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact from Keane on Havertz deemed to be minimal."
Arsenal headed into the encounter seven points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League standings, with no room for error whatsoever in their quest for their first league title in more than two decades.
That's considering City hold a vital game in hand over the Gunners, and the two sides still have a match to play with one another come April. Thankfully for Mikel Arteta and his team, Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners over Everton on the evening, with late goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Max Dowman securing all three points.
Up next for Arsenal is a Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen come Tuesday night, a second-leg round of 16 tie which the two teams head into 1-1 on aggregate.
An EFL Cup final between Arsenal and City then lands on Sunday, March 22, before Arsenal face Southampton in a quarter-final FA Cup tie.
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