Ollie Watkins claims Kai Havertz's late goal against Aston Villa SHOULD have counted as a shock admission after rescuing the point against Arsenal


Ollie Watkins has perhaps surprisingly suggested that Arsenal had a hard time seeing their third goal disallowed for handball in Saturday's thrilling 2-2 draw.

The Gunners took the lead through Gabriel Martinelli before Kai Havertz doubled the lead shortly after the break, but Youri Tielemans and Watkins scored to level the tie.

It comes on the same day Liverpool left it late to beat Brentford and increase the deficit at the top of the table as Aston Villa once again blocked Arsenal at the Emirates.

However, with the Gunners pushing for the all-important fifth goal of the game, Havertz thought he had doubled his tally when Mikel Merino's shot deflected off him in the dying minutes of the tie.

However, after a VAR review, it was concluded that the ball had hit the German striker's arm, rather than his abdomen, as Havertz had protested, and the match ended 2–2 with the points shared.

After the match, Watkins told Sky that he was “not sure” he made the right decision, despite it being a decision that benefited his team.

Ollie Watkins rescued a point for Aston Villa but perhaps suggested Arsenal struggled to do so.

Ollie Watkins rescued a point for Aston Villa but perhaps suggested Arsenal struggled to do so.

Arsenal thought they had scored the winning goal late in the match before VAR disallowed it.

Arsenal thought they had scored the winning goal late in the match before VAR disallowed it.

It was a frustrating night for the Gunners who once again dropped points in the title race.

It was a frustrating night for the Gunners who once again dropped points in the title race.

“Looking at it back there, I'm not sure, I think it went in our favor, if it went against me I think I would be disappointed,” he told Sky Sports. “From that angle I'm not sure, but that's what VAR is for.

'We got Youri's goal, we went up the field and he was about to score again. I got a lot of momentum from that and I had faith as we moved through the transition there were opportunities.

“We knew they were going man for man, Gabriel against me, Partey against Jacob, we were man for man at the back and I could rarely have done better in the first half.

“There are opportunities that can be taken and they (Arsenal) were always a bit open.”

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By Kevin Rogers

Kevin is a seasoned sports journalist with 15 years of experience covering major leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB. His dynamic commentary and expert game analysis connect with fans across all sports, ensuring reliable and engaging coverage. Phone: +1 (212) 574-9823

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