After a weekend of controversial referee decisions, Arsenal may have just been given their own helping hand. In their crunch tie against Burnley—a game in which victory would bring them within touching distance of their first Premier League trophy in two decades—they were let off the hook when Kai Havertz brought down Lesley Ugochukwu just as the visitors were launching a counterattack.
The Incident
The German striker, who had given the Gunners the lead in the first half, leapt for the ball but instead made contact with Ugochukwu, bringing his boot down on the back of the former Chelsea midfielder's calf. The challenge drew immediate criticism from pundits.
Gary Neville's Reaction
“I don't think that's right,” Gary Neville said on commentary. “I think he's a lucky boy, I'd get him off the pitch straight away. The referee has got a great view of it. It's not just a trip, it's the studs on the standing leg, well above the ball. He basically needs to leave the pitch now, I think.”
The incident has added fuel to the debate over consistency in officiating, as Arsenal continue their pursuit of the title.
