Arsenal fans were left frustrated and angry following a social media post from the Premier League’s official account regarding the disallowed goal by Kai Havertz during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on January 18, 2025. The post quickly garnered attention for its tone, particularly in how it referred to the controversial incident.
With just five minutes left in the match, Kai Havertz thought he had secured a dramatic late winner for Arsenal when Mikel Merino’s shot deflected off him and into the net, putting the Gunners 3-2 ahead. However, as the players celebrated, Aston Villa’s players quickly appealed for a potential handball. After a VAR review, the goal was ruled out. The review showed that the ball had made contact with Havertz’s arm before entering the goal, leading to referee Chris Kavanagh disallowing the goal.
While VAR decisions often stir debate, it was the post-match commentary that added fuel to the fire. The Premier League’s official X (formerly Twitter) account posted a statement, saying: “NO GOAL! @Arsenal think they have a third, but Mikel Merino’s effort clearly strikes Kai Havertz’ hand on the way in.” The use of the word “clearly” was immediately questioned by many fans, especially when slow-motion footage appeared to show that the ball may have hit Havertz’s stomach rather than his arm. The controversy over whether the ball hit Havertz’s arm in an unnatural position or whether it was accidental only fueled the anger from Arsenal supporters.
Many fans took to social media to voice their displeasure, not only with the decision but also with the Premier League’s post. One fan commented: “It’s an absolute disgrace. It’s happened to Arsenal again. This seriously needs investigating now. The ball hits his side, and even if it does hit his arm, it’s not in an unnatural position.” The frustration was palpable, as many fans felt that the decision had been unfairly made and that the post from the official account did not accurately reflect the controversy surrounding the decision. Another fan replied: “Where? Where is the handball? Show me the handball!” challenging the claim that the incident was as clear-cut as the official account suggested.
The most common reaction was disbelief at the use of the word “clearly.” One fan remarked: “Clearly? This is the official EPL handle… Wow,” pointing out that the wording seemed dismissive of the fact that there was still uncertainty about the nature of the incident. Others also chimed in, saying that the footage from various angles did not conclusively show the ball hitting Havertz’s hand, which led to further questioning of the decision. A fifth fan, clearly frustrated with the situation, sarcastically posted: “Feel so sorry for Arsenal fans. Clearly hits Havertz’s midriff. Even slowed down on VAR it’s clear to see. Go to Specsavers lads. I used to work there I’ll get you a good deal.”
The uproar from Arsenal fans was not just about the outcome of the VAR review, but also about the Premier League’s portrayal of the incident. Many believed that the post was biased, with some even accusing the league of trying to influence the perception of the decision. They felt that the word “clearly” was used to suggest a certainty that was not apparent to everyone watching, particularly given the varying angles from the slow-motion footage.
The disallowed goal and the subsequent frustration of Arsenal fans had a larger context in the Premier League title race. The 2-2 draw meant that Arsenal’s hopes of reducing the gap between themselves and league leaders Liverpool were dashed. Instead of securing all three points, which would have brought them closer to Liverpool, Arsenal were left six points adrift with a game in hand. The point dropped against Villa, coupled with the controversial goal decision, made the draw even harder to swallow for Arsenal supporters, many of whom already felt that the team’s title chances were slipping away.
The incident and the subsequent response from the Premier League official account seemed to highlight a sense of frustration within the Arsenal fanbase, who have felt that they have been on the wrong end of key decisions in recent seasons. With every point now more crucial than ever in the title race, the feeling of injustice was amplified. Arsenal’s failure to secure the win against Villa was seen as another example of their inability to handle pressure, especially in critical moments.
The controversy surrounding Havertz’s disallowed goal was not limited to social media. In post-match interviews, both Mikel Arteta and Villa forward Ollie Watkins discussed the decision. Arteta, while diplomatic, acknowledged that the incident could have been interpreted in different ways, stating, “Yes, I saw it. From one angle it does not look like [a handball], and from another angle, it looks like a handball. The decision has been made.” Arteta’s comments reflected the complexity of the situation and the difficulty of making such a call in real-time. Watkins, on the other hand, expressed some sympathy for Arsenal, saying, “I’m not sure, think it’s gone in favour for us. If that was against me, I think I would be disappointed.” His remarks seemed to reflect a sense of fairness in the way the decision had unfolded, but also hinted that he felt it was a tight call.
For many Arsenal fans, however, the incident was not just about the VAR decision, but about a perceived ongoing trend of poor officiating against their team. The slow-motion footage, which some fans argued showed the ball hitting Havertz’s stomach, was seen by many as evidence that the VAR review had made an incorrect call. The debate over whether the ball had made contact with Havertz’s arm or his stomach was not just a matter of individual opinion, but a larger question about the consistency of VAR decisions and the role of technology in football.
This incident added to the ongoing frustration among Arsenal fans, who felt that their team had been unfairly treated by officials on numerous occasions in the past. The slow-motion footage of Havertz’s goal quickly went viral, with fans dissecting every angle of the footage in search of answers. For Arsenal supporters, it was yet another instance of what they perceived to be unfair treatment, and the Premier League’s social media post seemed to only add fuel to the fire.
As the season continues, Arsenal’s focus will now shift to their upcoming matches, with the pressure mounting as they try to recover from this disappointing result. The controversy over the disallowed goal against Villa serves as a reminder of how a single decision can change the course of a season. With Liverpool still in control of the title race, Arsenal will need to regroup quickly and refocus if they are to have any hope of catching their rivals at the top.
In the meantime, the debate over the Havertz handball will continue to rage, with fans on both sides of the argument defending their views. For Arsenal fans, the incident will likely remain a sore point, especially given the importance of the match and the missed opportunity to narrow the gap at the top. As for the Premier League, the backlash against their social media post highlights the ongoing challenges of handling controversial decisions in the age of social media, where every decision is scrutinized by millions of fans around the world.
