Brentford's manager expressed his belief that Kai Havertz should have been sent off before scoring the winning goal in Arsenal's 2-1 victory at Emirates Stadium. Havertz's 86th-minute header secured the win in a contentious match that saw Declan Rice open the scoring. Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, standing in for the ineligible David Raya, gifted Yoane Wissa an equalizer in first-half stoppage time.
Havertz's winning goal came after he had been booked for an elbow on Kristoffer Ajer and went down under minimal contact from Nathan Collins, leading to a VAR check for a penalty. Despite the incidents, Havertz avoided further punishment, much to the frustration of Brentford's manager.
The manager criticized Havertz's actions as a clear dive and expressed disappointment that the incident went unpunished. He believed that Havertz should have received a second yellow card and been sent off, potentially altering the outcome of the game.
In contrast, Arsenal's manager praised Havertz's performance, highlighting his recent form with four goals and two assists in his last four Premier League matches. He commended Havertz's work rate, intelligence, and team contribution, noting the positive impact he has had on the team and the fans' growing appreciation for him.
Arsenal's victory propelled them to the top of the league standings by a single point, ahead of the highly anticipated match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
