Brentford boss Thomas Frank fumes that Kai Havertz should’ve been sent OFF for simulation after going down in the box while already on yellow – before German scored late winner for Arsenal
- Kai Havertz scored Arsenal’s late winner in the 2-1 win against Brentford
- But the attacker could have been sent off after one flashpoint for his goal
- Arsenal are making mugs of us, showing they don’t need a number 9 and Kai Havertz has become Mikel Arteta’s go-to guy – It all starts podcast
Kai Havertz has been criticized after apparently diving and avoiding a red card during Arsenal’s dramatic win against Brentford on Saturday night.
Goals from Declan Rice and Havertz lifted Mikel Arteta’s side to the top of the Premier League, one point ahead of Liverpool and two above Manchester City.
Havertz’s winner came four minutes from time and sparked wild celebrations in the Emirates, although he was perhaps lucky to avoid a lay-off earlier in the half.
The attacker picked up his first warning after catching Kristoffer Ajer with an arm.
Then, chasing a penalty that would have put Arsenal back in front after Aaron Ramsdale’s howler, Havertz locked horns with Nathan Collins in the penalty area.
Kai Havertz has been criticized for an apparent dive during Arsenal’s win over Brentford
Havertz went to ground in the penalty area after tangling with Nathan Collins, but was not booked
Collins dangled one leg as he tried to edge the ball away from his opponent, and Havertz, sensing possible contact, went to the ground and called for a penalty.
Brentford’s players furiously surrounded referee Rob Jones and urged the referee to give Havertz a second yellow card for diving, although their calls fell on deaf ears.
And while Havertz was able to dust himself off and later score the winning goal, users of X (formerly Twitter) expressed their disbelief at not sending him off.
“Why isn’t Kai Havertz booked there?” said one user. “Clear attempt at diving.”
Alongside two screenshots of the moment, another added: ‘Kai Havertz dives into the penalty area, no second yellow for him. Havertz deserves an Oscar for that dive.”
“That Havertz dive is nasty,” said a third. ‘How he didn’t get a yellow card is beyond me.’
Mailsport Columnist Chris Sutton, also co-host of the It’s All Kicking Off podcast, took a different approach and posted a humorous GIF of a lady diving.
“Kai Havertz,” the caption for the gif read.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank was convinced Havertz should have been sent off.
“I actually don’t think Havertz should be on the field when he scored,” he said. ‘It was a clear dive. It may be difficult for the referee, but the linesman should have seen it.’
Havertz, who nodded home Ben White’s cross after moving into space at the front post, has now scored in four consecutive Premier League games.
Arsenal lead the top flight for the first time since December but could be ousted if Liverpool or City take all three points in tomorrow’s showdown.
The striker dusted himself off and nodded to Arsenal’s winner just four minutes from time
