VAR denies Arsenal penalty as Havertz ruled offside in Hull game

Summarised from 3 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 7 Nov, 20:21 · Archive

Arsenal were denied a penalty when Kai Havertz was fouled in the box but ruled offside, though the offside rule's interpretation made the decision controversial.

Arsenal were denied a penalty in their 1-0 Premier League win against Hull City when Kai Havertz was fouled in the box but ruled offside by VAR. Referee Farai Hallam was advised by the video assistant referee to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. Upon review, Hallam confirmed that Hull defender Nobel Mendy had committed a foul by pulling Havertz's shirt, causing initial cheers from the home crowd at the Emirates Stadium. However, he ruled that Havertz was in an offside position and awarded a free kick to Hull instead of a penalty to Arsenal.

Multiple sources indicate VAR made an error. The offside rule only takes precedence when a player is 'attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball'. Havertz was doing neither when fouled, meaning a penalty should have been awarded. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he was surprised they were not given the spot kick and called for 'clarity' on the offside laws. He told his post-match press conference: 'I don't know, I haven't watched it back.'

Martin Odegaard scored the only goal of the match after 20 minutes to secure Arsenal's win over their stubborn opponents.

How it is being reported

• Arsenal should have been awarded penalty against Hull - CannFormer Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann explains why Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Kai Havertz in the Premier League champions' 1-0 win over Hull City.BBC Sport · 8 Nov, 00:00
• 'Robbed': Arsenal fans react to Kai Havertz penalty decision as VAR makes glaring errorGunners were denied spot kick in win over HullEvening Standard · 7 Nov, 19:56
• Mikel Arteta responds to Arsenal penalty decision amid VAR controversy against HullGunners were denied a spot kick in nervy encounterEvening Standard · 7 Nov, 18:07
• Dean admits Arsenal SHOULD have been awarded penalty vs HullMike Dean admits Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty against Hull City and discusses why he believes VAR made the wrong decision.Sky Sports · 7 Nov, 17:31
• VAR error! Why Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty against Hull despite Kai Havertz offsideGunners were denied a penalty by VAR, but the rules suggest a mistake was madeEvening Standard · 7 Nov, 16:21
• 'It's the right process!' - Merse and Dean react to VAR overturning Arsenal penaltyMike Dean and Paul Merson react to VAR overturning a penalty for Arsenal as Kai Havertz is found to be offside.Sky Sports · 7 Nov, 15:54

In this story: Arsenal · Hull City · Kai Havertz · Nobel Mendy · Mikel Arteta · Farai Hallam · Martin Odegaard · Emirates Stadium

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log