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Kai Havertz escaped a red card as Arsenal secured a 1–0 win against Burnley after VAR ruled that his high challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu did not amount to serious foul play.
Havertz, who put Arsenal ahead with a header late in the first half, found himself at the center of controversy midway through the second half when a reckless lunge at Ugochukwu made contact with the Burnley midfielder on the back of his calf.
The referee on the pitch issued a yellow card, but the incident was quickly referred to VAR, with many expecting Havertz to receive a red. However, no additional action was taken and the match continued. Havertz was then substituted just minutes afterward.
According to the Premier League Match Centre, Havertz's challenge on Ugochukwu was reviewed, but officials concluded that the tackle, which Gary Neville labeled as "vicious," did not meet the threshold for serious foul play.
"He is nowhere near the ball," Neville commented. "I don't like that at all. The height of the challenge and the fact it lands on the standing leg.
"I don't think [the decision] is correct. He got away with one there."
Burnley Boss Fumes at Decisive Call
The decision marks the second straight match in which Arsenal have controversially benefited from a VAR ruling.
Just the previous week, Arsenal were spared when a late equalizer from West Ham United forward Callum Wilson was disallowed, with VAR identifying a foul on Gunners goalkeeper David Raya moments before the goal.
The controversy surrounding the decision to keep Havertz on the field was considerably greater. Burnley caretaker manager Mike Jackson was visibly frustrated and believed his team could have grabbed something from the game had Arsenal been reduced to 10 men.
"That's a red card," Jackson stated.
"It's dangerous, he leaves the ground, and it's a cynical challenge to disrupt play. We're disappointed it wasn't given because it would have swung the final 20 minutes in our favor.
"When you review it and go through it frame-by-frame, second-by-second, you have to be able to see that from multiple angles."
Back-to-back 1–0 victories push Arsenal another step closer to the Premier League title. The Gunners could be confirmed as champions as early as Tuesday if Manchester City, sitting five points back with a game in hand, fail to beat European contenders Bournemouth on the road.